Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Red Oak, Iowa is a small-sized city with a population of 5,512 inhabitants. The majority of Red Oak residents report their race to be White; this is followed by American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Red Oak offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Red Oak, Iowa could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Red Oak and in the areas around Red Oak is a much easier task.
The livability score in Red Oak is 68/100 and the city is ranked in the 69th percentile of all cities across America. If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Red Oak ranks well for housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Red Oak. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F).
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Red Oak apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Red Oak meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Red Oak. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Red Oak are simply unattainable. The median home price for Red Oak homes is $140,191, which is 41.6% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Red Oak, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 1.9, which is 36.7% lower than the Iowa average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Red Oak | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.0% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.1% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.5% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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