Fort Dodge, IA vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Fort Dodge
78.6
#168 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Ruston leads in crime level (11.7 vs 29.1). Fort Dodge leads in median household income ($59,452 vs $32,877). Fort Dodge leads in walk score (34 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fort Dodge, IA | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 78.6 (#168) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 24,591 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $132,746 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $59,452 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 16.8 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 29.1 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+31.2 | R+25.4 |
C+
78.6 Score
Fort Dodge, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$132,746
Population
24,591
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View Fort Dodge, IA →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →