What are the schools like in Manson, IA?

Manson is served primarily by Manson Northwest Webster Comm School District. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1.

What is the median household income in Manson?

The median household income in Manson, IA is $69,444 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.7%.

What is the weather like in Manson, IA?

Manson has an average high temperature of 26.5°F in January and 82.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 33.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 32.1 inches.

Manson, IA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Manson, IA affordable or expensive?

Manson's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Manson is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $112,900 and the median rent is $654 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Manson, IA?

Crime rate data for Manson is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Manson, IA a Good Place to Live?

Manson is a small town of 1,718 in Iowa, with a median household income of $69,444 and a 4.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Manson stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Manson is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Manson city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 87.5

Manson's overall cost of living index is 87.5, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Manson costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Manson, IA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$112,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$654	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	75.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$69,444	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Manson is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Manson is served primarily by Manson Northwest Webster Comm School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Manson, IA	National Avg
School District	Manson Northwest Webster Comm School District	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	27.2%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	95.5%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Manson sees average highs of 26.5°F in January and 82.9°F in July, with 33.8 inches of annual precipitation and 32.1 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Manson, IA
Average High — January	26.5°F
Average High — July	82.9°F
Annual Precipitation	33.8"
Annual Snowfall	32.1"

Demographics

Metric	Manson, IA	National Avg
Population	1,718	—
Median Age	40.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	97.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.6%	6.3%
Under 18	25.0%	22.2%
65 and over	22.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Twin Lakes, IA 6 mi Knierim, IA 7 mi Pomeroy, IA 7 mi Palmer, IA 8 mi Barnum, IA 9 mi

ZIP Codes in Manson

Manson, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code:

50563

Manson vs Other Cities

Manson, IA vs Twin Lakes, IA Manson, IA vs Knierim, IA Manson, IA vs Pomeroy, IA Manson, IA vs Palmer, IA Manson, IA vs Barnum, IA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manson, IA affordable or expensive?

Manson's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Manson roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $112,900 and median rent is $654/month.

What is the crime rate in Manson, IA?

Crime data for Manson is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Manson?

Public schools in Manson are operated by Manson Northwest Webster Comm School District. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 27.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Manson, IA a good place to live?

Manson, IA has a population of 1,718, a median household income of $69,444, and an unemployment rate of 4.7%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Manson?

Manson averages 26.5°F in January and 82.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 33.8 inches with about 32.1 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Manson?

Manson, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 50563.

What is the population of Manson?

The population of Manson, Iowa is 1,718 with a median age of 40.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Manson?

Key numbers for living in Manson: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $112,900, median household income $69,444, schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Manson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.