City Comparison
Clinton vs Mason City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mason City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Mason City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mason City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Clinton.
| Metric | Clinton | Mason City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $850 | 0% |
| Groceries | $360 | $350 | +3% |
| Utilities | $165 | $160 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $1,670 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Clinton offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Clinton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clinton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $42,000 in Mason City.
| Metric | Clinton | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $53,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 64,634 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $54,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Clinton comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mason City sees 8.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 48.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | 11.30°F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | 40.10 in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | 31.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 252 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mason City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Clinton.
| Metric | Clinton | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mason City is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Clinton.
From a growth perspective, Clinton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mason City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clinton | Mason City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 27,338 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 42.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clinton
Advantages
Median home prices in Clinton are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, allowing for minimal daily transit stress.
Abundant access to Mississippi River recreation, parks, and outdoor trails.
Strong local manufacturing and industrial employment base offering stable jobs.
Low cost of living index that stretches retirement and family budgets effectively.
Drawbacks
Limited high-tech and corporate remote work professional infrastructure.
Cold, snowy winter conditions typical of eastern Iowa can be harsh.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles.
Slower population growth compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Fewer high-end dining and major entertainment venues within city limits.
Mason City
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Home to world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center provides top-tier regional healthcare access directly within the city.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion enhance daily convenience.
Strong local cultural institutions like the MacNider Art Museum and active community arts programming.
Drawbacks
Winters feature low temperatures averaging 11.3°F with notable snowfall, requiring cold-weather preparedness.
Public transportation options are limited, creating a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Slower population growth compared to booming metropolitan centers in the US.
Limited high-paying tech or corporate headquarters sectors compared to larger state capitals.
Distance from major major metropolitan hubs like Minneapolis or Des Moines for specialized entertainment.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Clinton
#291Iowa, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
Mason City
#176Iowa, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
Business
65
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