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Mason City, Iowa Retirement Guide
60
Retirement Score
Mason City, Iowa at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $125,500
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.
- Avg January Low
- 13.3°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 88.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- N/A
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 60 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88.4 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$125,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$841High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
43.1 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
49.8 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
43.1 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
84°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Avg January Low
13.3°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Annual Precipitation
31.4"High confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Sunny Days / Year
290 daysHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
21 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
2.6 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
27,271High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
43.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
22.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$60,786High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
67.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
7.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
20.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
10.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
90.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
2.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
6.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
0.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Mason City using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$272
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$305
Median home price used: $125,500
Median rent reference: $841 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.