Mediapolis is a small town of 2,214 in Iowa, with a median household income of $71,761
and a 3.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Mediapolis 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 Mediapolis is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Mediapolis 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: 91.1
Mediapolis's overall cost of living index is 91.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Mediapolis costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Mediapolis, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$155,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$839
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
72.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$71,761
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Mediapolis's violent crime rate is 300.3 per 100,000 residents
— 21% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
300.3 /100k
Property Crime
2227.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Mediapolis is served primarily by Mediapolis Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Mediapolis, IA
National Avg
School District
Mediapolis Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
34.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.9%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Mediapolis sees average highs of 32.2°F in January
and 85.5°F in July,
with 37.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 16.9 inches of snow per year.
Mediapolis's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Mediapolis roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $155,200 and median rent is $839/month.
Mediapolis's violent crime rate is 300.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2227.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Mediapolis are operated by Mediapolis Comm School District.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 34.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Mediapolis, IA has a population of 2,214, a median household income of $71,761, and an unemployment rate of 3.2%.
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.
Mediapolis averages 32.2°F in January and 85.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.2 inches
with about 16.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Mediapolis, Iowa is 2,214 with a median age of 34.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Mediapolis: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $155,200, median household income $71,761, crime index 90 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Mediapolis side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
