Living in Mason City, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Mason City · Census data 2020–2024
Mason City has 27,050 residents with a median age of 42.5. The median household income is $64,804 (14% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $142,000, the median rent is $882/month.
Mason City at a glance
- Population
- 27,050
- Median age
- 42.5State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $64,804State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $142,000State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $882/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 65.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20.8%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Mason City a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 32% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the Iowa median; a poverty rate of 12%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Mason City
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Mason City the median home value is $142,000, 57% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $882 per month, which is 24.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,236 a month in housing costs.
Mason City median household income
The median household income in Mason City is $64,804 and the income per person is $37,494. 12% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Mason City: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 14,240
- Owner-occupied
- 65.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 34.5%
- Vacant
- 10.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1956
- Average household size
- 2.07
Mason City demographics
- Population
- 27,050
- Median age
- 42.5
- Under 18
- 20.4%
- 65 and older
- 23%
- Households
- 12,698
- Foreign-born
- 3.3%
- Veterans
- 8.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Mason City ›
Education in Mason City
20.8% of adults 25 and older in Mason City have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 7.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Mason City
- Unemployment rate
- 2.8%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 4.3%
- Drive alone
- 81%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 4.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 89%
Mason City vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason City | 27,050 | $64,804 | $142,000 | $882 |
| Rock Falls | 119 | $71,042 | $156,300 | — |
| Plymouth | 407 | $80,000 | $125,700 | $831 |
| Clear Lake | 7,607 | $79,415 | $259,500 | $808 |
| Nora Springs | 1,363 | $78,594 | $134,500 | $669 |
| Manly | 1,320 | $72,813 | $120,300 | $756 |
| Rockwell | 986 | $60,982 | $163,300 | $575 |
| Hanlontown | 249 | $72,813 | $106,800 | $794 |
| Swaledale | 148 | $51,912 | $62,900 | — |
More for people moving to Mason City
Mason City ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Mason City: FAQ
What is the median household income in Mason City, IA?
The median household income in Mason City is $64,804, 14% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Mason City?
The median home value in Mason City is $142,000, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Mason City?
The median gross rent in Mason City is $882 per month, about 24.8% of household income.
Is Mason City, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 32% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; unemployment of 2.8%. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the Iowa median; a poverty rate of 12%.
What is the median age in Mason City?
The median age in Mason City is 42.5 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Mason City?
The average commute to work in Mason City is 14 minutes; 4.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Mason City?
The unemployment rate in Mason City is 2.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Mason City?
20.8% of adults in Mason City have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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