C

Clarence, IA

Source:

Affordability Score: 59/100

Population: 1,428 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Clarence, IA aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 1,428 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C (59/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $67,857, median home value of $191,900, median rent of $870 per month, and 14.4% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $966 per month (studio $717, 1BR $736, 3BR $1,259, 4BR $1,279). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $8,675 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Clarence, IA include rent. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 1.0% and poverty 9.0% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C
$67,857
Median household income
Education F
14.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing B
2.8x
Home value $191,900 vs income
Commute D
28 min
Average commute time
Rent A
$966/mo
2BR fair market rent (17% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C+
$8,675/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$67,857
▲ 9% vs national
Per Capita Income
$33,226
Unemployment Rate
1.0%
Poverty Rate
9.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
$191,900
▼ 30% vs national
Median Rent
$870/mo
Owner Occupied
69.6%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$966/mo
▼ 19% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$717
1BR
$736
2BR
$966
3BR
$1,259
4BR
$1,279

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
14.4%
▼ 16 ppt vs national
High School+
53.8%
Median Age
44.1
Avg. Commute
28 min
▲ 2 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$8,675/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,475/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,475/yr
School-Age (Center)
$5,980/yr

What This Means

Clarence, IA receives an overall affordability grade of C (59/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 1,428. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Clarence ZIP Codes
View all 1 ZIP codes with demographics and individual scorecards
View ZIPs →

What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Clarence, IA affordable?
Clarence, IA receives an overall affordability grade of C (59/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $67,857. Median home value is $191,900.
What is the cost of living in Clarence?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $870/mo. 2BR fair market rent $966/mo. Infant childcare $8,675/yr. Median home value $191,900.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →