City Profile
Clinton, Iowa
USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence
Clinton, Iowa is a historic industrial and manufacturing hub situated along the picturesque banks of the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa. Originally founded as a lumber capital of the Midwest, the city has evolved into a resilient community featuring well-preserved 19th-century architecture, riverfront parks, and a welcoming Midwestern charm. People are drawn to Clinton for its exceptionally low cost of living, peaceful neighborhoods, and strong sense of community rooted in its rich heritage. The city offers a quiet escape from bustling metropolitan life while still maintaining essential urban amenities and easy access to larger regional centers.
Iowa, located in the Midwest, is characterized by its expansive farmlands and a generally relaxed, community-focused lifestyle. The state's economy is diverse, with major industries including advanced manufacturing, biosciences, finance and insurance, and its foundational agricultural sector, which leads in corn, soybean, ethanol, and pork production. Living in Iowa is notably affordable, with the cost of living, particularly housing, being significantly lower than the national average. The climate is humid continental, featuring hot, humid summers and cold winters, with seasonal precipitation and susceptibility to various natural disasters like snowstorms, floods, and tornadoes.
How this 61/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
| Component | Readings used | Points | Weight | Contributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Safety score: 68 / 100 | 68.0 | 30% | 20.4 |
| Affordability | Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 82.0 | 66.3 | 25% | 16.6 |
| Economy & jobs | Median household income: $53,500 Income needed to live here: $42,000 Unemployment rate: 4.5% | 64.0 | 20% | 12.8 |
| Growth | Population growth rate: no usable reading Job growth rate: 0.8% | 36.0 | 15% | 5.4 |
| Business climate assessment | Business climate assessment: 62 / 100 | 62.0 | 10% | 6.2 |
| Overall score | 61.4 | |||
Provenance.
These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as
Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed
16 October 2026.
They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.
Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.
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Cost of Living
The cost of living in Clinton is significantly lower than the national average, making it an attractive destination for families, retirees, and first-time homebuyers looking to stretch their budgets. Housing costs, in particular, remain remarkably affordable compared to both state and national benchmarks, allowing residents to purchase spacious properties for a fraction of what they would cost in major coastal or metropolitan markets. Everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, and transportation also track well below the U.S. baseline, driven primarily by abundant local resources and modest regional pricing structures.
Income
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Clinton’s economy is anchored by a robust manufacturing, chemical processing, and logistics sector that leverages its strategic location along the Mississippi River and major rail corridors. Major employers in the area provide steady blue-collar and technical employment, while healthcare and education offer additional stable career opportunities for the local workforce. Although large-scale tech and corporate remote work hubs are less prevalent, the region has seen steady efforts to revitalize local entrepreneurship and small businesses downtown. Economic development initiatives continue to focus on modernizing industrial infrastructure and attracting new manufacturing investments to the area.
The average salary in Clinton is $54,000 per year. You would need approximately $42,000 to live comfortably.
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Transport
Getting around Clinton is primarily automobile-dependent, with short average commute times and virtually nonexistent traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas. Local public transit is provided by the Clinton Municipal Transit Administration, offering fixed-bus routes across the city for daily commuters and students. Walkability is favorable in the downtown commercial core and older residential neighborhoods, though most residents rely on personal vehicles for daily errands.
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Senior Care in Clinton
9 assisted living, nursing & memory care facilities in Clinton.
Senior Care
Regency of Clinton
Clinton, IA
Assisted Living
Bickford of Clinton
Clinton, IA
Eagle Point Health Care Center
Clinton, IA
Skyline Center Inc Home Health
Clinton, IA
Prairie Hills at Clinton
Clinton, IA
Village Cooperative of Clinton, IA
Clinton, IA
The Alverno Health Care Facility
Clinton, IA
Mercyone Clinton Home Care And Hospice
Clinton, IA
Mercyone Clinton Home Care & Hospice
Clinton, IA
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