Mason City, IA vs New Brighton, MN
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.
Mason City
84.3
#7 nationally
New Brighton
75.6
#440 nationally
New Brighton leads in crime level (2.5 vs 6.1). Mason City leads in average commute (14.6 min vs 20.9 min). New Brighton leads in median household income ($84,707 vs $60,786).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mason City, IA | New Brighton, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 84.3 (#7) | 75.6 (#440) |
| Population | 26,906 | 22,228 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $160,581 | $389,217 |
| Median Household Income | $60,786 | $84,707 |
| Average Commute | 14.6 min | 20.9 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 2.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.7 | D+43.3 |
B
84.3 Score
Mason City, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$160,581
Population
26,906
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View Mason City, IA →
C
75.6 Score
New Brighton, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$389,217
Population
22,228
Crime
Low
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View New Brighton, MN →
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