Rows tagged local are specific to Mason (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Cincinnati, OH. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 9/10 (district Mason City · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.2
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.4
metro-area
#48 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.36
metro-area
#84 of 200 metros
Median household income
$121,082
local
#583 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$62,235
local
#536 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
38.2 years
metro-area
#90 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
36.9%
metro-area
#66 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
5.7%
metro-area
#147 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
68.1%
metro-area
#74 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
1.80%
local
#87 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+7.6%
local
#920 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$375,000
local
#1845 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.1×
local
#830 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.5%
metro-area
#72 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$227
local
#2045 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,685
local
#2103 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
5,929
Median days on market
6
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.0%
state
#97 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.24%
state
#91 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.90%
Capital gains tax
3.50%
state
#62 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.37%
local
#2223 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$5,133
local
#2230 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
76.0 years
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
5.9%
metro-area
#36 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
80
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
24
Avg commute to work
27 min
local
#1530 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
75.0%
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
35.6%
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
19.5¢/kWh
state
#130 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$175
state
#130 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.25/gal
state
#83 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$104
state
#101 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#9 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
82.9 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
54
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
800
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
94%
state
#64 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
22
metro-area
#88 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
20°F
metro-area
#147 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
45.3"
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
23.3"
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
50%
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
300
state
#28 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,800
state
#52 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
63
metro-area
#102 of 200 metros
Parks
50
Hiking areas
23
Golf courses
34
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
13
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.