Mason City, 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.
Mason City
84.3
#7 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Mason City leads in crime level (6.1 vs 11.7). Mason City leads in median household income ($60,786 vs $32,877). Mason City leads in walk score (37 vs 25).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mason City, IA | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 84.3 (#7) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 26,906 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $160,581 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $60,786 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 14.6 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 6.1 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.7 | R+25.4 |
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-
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 →