Story City 80 Exceptional
Story City Livability #84 ranked city in Iowa#1,686 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Story City

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in Story City?

Located in the state of Iowa, Story City is a small-sized city with a population of 3,450 residents. At 97%, the majority of the Story City population is White; this is followed by 1% Asian and 0% Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Story City. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Story City, Iowa. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, commute, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Story City and in the areas around Story City is a much easier task.

Story City, IA receives 78 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #120 in Iowa and #2,354 in the USA. This is a phenomenal score, as Story City ranks well in multiple categories! Story City has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Story City ranks very well for crime (A), cost of living (A), education (A+) and housing (A). Regrettably for Story City, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Story City, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 59 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Parents and families tend to prioritize school test scores when choosing educational institutions. Test score data can be a critical factor in evaluating and comparing schools. In Story City, the average school test scores are an impressive 86%, well above the national average. This achievement reflects the educational system's dedication to providing students with the essential knowledge and tools for success. It ensures that your children will receive the support and resources needed to excel academically and thrive in their educational pursuits.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Story City has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Story City. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Story City are affordable. Median real estate prices in Story City come in at $251,828, which is 4.9% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Story City, the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 3.3% lower than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Story City

See all the best places to live around Story City

How Do You Rate The Livability In Story City?

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      Story City transportation information

      Statistic Story City Iowa National
      Average one way commute19min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work86.0%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.2%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.3%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home2.2%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Story City, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.