Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Located in the state of Iowa, Carter Lake is a smaller city with a population of 3,799 residents. According to the most recent Census, 89% of Carter Lake residents are White, 1% Black and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. Carter Lake is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 47% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Carter Lake will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Carter Lake, Iowa could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Carter Lake and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Carter Lake to Iowa and the national average.
Carter Lake has a livability score of 64/100 and is ranked #501 in Iowa and #12,026 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Carter Lake scores well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A-) Unfortunately for Carter Lake, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F) and employment (D).
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Carter Lake excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Carter Lake is real estate affordability. The median home price for Carter Lake homes is $111,900, which is 15.7% lower than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Carter Lake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 8.3% lower than the Iowa average.
| Statistic | Carter Lake | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 90.3% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.3% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.4% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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