Signals
Marshalltown
Gainesville
Growth
25 · Bottom 13%
vs35 · Bottom 26%
Climate
56 · Bottom 14%
vs63 · Bottom 38%
Physical resilience
49 · Bottom 41%
vs48 · Bottom 39%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs97 · Top 41%
Access
74 · Bottom 45%
vs77 · Top 49%
Economic stability
79 · Top 16%
vs65 · Top 33%
Measured values
| Metric | Marshalltown | Gainesville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,114 | 43,046 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,315 | $73,932 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,544 | $38,914 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 70/sq mi | 49/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $145,500 | $240,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $885 | $1,047 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 75.0% | 71.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.6% | 23.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 13.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 28 | 44 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.7 | 1.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -17.6% | -65.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 96°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 10°F | 32°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 32.8" | 35.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 46 mi | 45 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.1 min | 27.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.5 | 40.5 | 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
Marshalltown
Elevated or high exposure: drought, tornado, cold wave.
Gainesville
Elevated or high exposure: drought, hail, wildfire.
Your best match
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Marshalltown
64
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Area Score
Gainesville
64
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Marshalltown, IA Micro Area · Gainesville, TX Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology