Signals
Cortland
Mason City
Growth
15 · Bottom 6%
vs13 · Bottom 5%
Climate
54 · Bottom 10%
vs54 · Bottom 9%
Physical resilience
48 · Bottom 40%
vs51 · Bottom 44%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
82 · Top 39%
vs62 · Bottom 23%
Economic stability
64 · Top 33%
vs68 · Top 28%
Measured values
| Metric | Cortland | Mason City | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,246 | 49,982 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $70,418 | $68,926 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,752 | $41,222 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 93/sq mi | 52/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $162,100 | $162,900 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $984 | $842 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 66.3% | 72.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 23.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.8% | 10.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 31 | 49 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 1.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -18.4% | -57.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 79°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 13°F | 7°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.7" | 36.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 36 mi | 62 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.3 min | 18.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.0 | 44.0 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Cortland
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding.
Mason City
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, cold wave.
Your best match
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Cortland
61
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Area Score
Mason City
58
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Cortland, NY Micro Area · Mason City, IA Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology