Mason City, IA—50401
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Mason City, IA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Mason City, IA is $155,000, with a year-over-year change of 4.7%. This indicates that home prices in Mason City, IA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.6%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $155,000 | 4.7% |
| Single Family | $154,000 | 5.5% |
| Condos | $212,000 | 3.4% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $69,000 | 3.0% |
2 Bed | $117,000 | 5.4% |
3 Bed | $159,000 | 6.0% |
4 Bed | $241,000 | 4.8% |
| 5 Bed | $380,000 | 3.5% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Mason City, IA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Mason City, IA is $1,010, with a year-over-year rent change of -8.2%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Mason City, IA is 1-bedrooms: $971, 2-bedrooms: $912, 4-bedrooms: $1,400. The most common rental property sizes in Mason City, IA are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 39.6% and 26.9% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $975 | $1,010 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $975 | $971 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $525 | $912 |
| 3 Bed Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 4 Bed Rent | $1,400 | $1,400 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Mason City, IA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Mason City, IA is 81. This is a increase of 51.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 21.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $196,000 | 11.0% |
Listing Count | 143 | 10.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.6% | 10.0% |
Days on Market | 81 | 51.0% |
Demographics — Mason City, IA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Mason City, IA has a population of 28,800, which has remained stable by -0.7% over the past 5 years. Mason City, IA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 20.9% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 21.9% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 5.9% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 28,800 | -0.7% |
% Under 18 | 20.9% | 0.0% |
% Seniors | 22.3% | 16.8% |
% WFH | 5.9% | 78.8% |
% w/ College Degree | 21.9% | 3.8% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Mason City, IA is a predominantly white area, with 86.8% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 2.6% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Mason City, IA is hispanic, making up 6.1% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 2.4% of the population in Mason City, IA, and this percentage has decreased by 20.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 86.8% | -2.6% |
% Black | 3.2% | 39.1% |
% Hispanic | 6.1% | 1.7% |
% Asian | 1.2% | 33.3% |
% Foreign Born | 2.4% | -20.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — Mason City, IA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 282 mortgage originations in Mason City, IA, of which 63.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 75.0%, with 42.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Mason City, IA. Investor activity is low, as 7.0% of loans were by investors. 8.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 282 |
% Conventional Loans | 63.0% |
% Government Loans | 37.0% |
% Investor Loans | 7.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 8.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Mason City, IA
Mason City, IA lacks sufficient Section 8 program data for analysis.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 811 |
Total Units Section 8 | 782 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | N/A |
% Occupied Section 8 | 87.6% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | -$255 | $975 | $720 |
| 2 Bedroom | $415 | $525 | $940 |
| 3 Bedroom | N/A | N/A | $1,200 |
| 4 Bedroom | $30 | $1,400 | $1,430 |
Affordability — Mason City, IA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 2.2 |
| Median Home Price | $155,000 |
| Median Household Income | $63,800 |