salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 13.5 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $36,000 a year. That is $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Iowa. It is number 20 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Mason City?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Mason City
| Size | Mason City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $741 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $776 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,023 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,158 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,173 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Mason City overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Mason City, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Mason City
Life in Mason City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Mason City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $85 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $142,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $14,200 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Mason City, IA?
Renting in Mason City costs a median of about $900 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Mason City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $36,000 a year, or $17 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Mason City cheap or expensive?
Mason City is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.5% of the typical household income of $69,891. It ranks 20th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Mason City?
The median homeowner in Mason City pays $2,199 a year in property taxes, about 1.55% of the median home value.
Is Mason City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Mason City?
The median home value in Mason City is $142,000, about 2.0 times the typical yearly household income.
27,050 people live in Mason City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.