City Comparison
Mason City vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mason City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mason City
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mason City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mason City's average rent is
27% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Mason City | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,162 | -27% |
| Groceries | $350 | $400 | -13% |
| Utilities | $160 | $180 | -11% |
| Transport | $100 | $90 | +11% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $250 | -16% |
| Monthly Total | $1,670 | $2,082 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mason City is estimated at
$42,000 vs $55,000 in Des Moines.
| Metric | Mason City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,634 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $47,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mason City runs warmer on average — a 48.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mason City comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mason City sees 31.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mason City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mason City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Des Moines.
Mason City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mason City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mason City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Mason City.
From a growth perspective, Mason City 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 | Mason City | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,338 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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