Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Iowa instead of Massachusetts, you would:
Health
live 1.5 years less
In Massachusetts, the average life expectancy is 79 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2020. In Iowa, that number is 78 years (76 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020.
be 34.4% more likely to be obese
In Massachusetts, 28.8% of adults are obese as of 2022. In Iowa, that number is 38.7% of people as of 2022.
be 12.5% more likely to have diabetes
In Massachusetts, 8.8% of adults have diabetes as of 2022. In Iowa, that number is 9.9% as of 2022.
Economy
be 29.8% less likely to be unemployed
In Massachusetts, 4.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Iowa, that number is 3.3% as of 2025.
make 27.5% less money
Massachusetts has a GDP per capita of $87,892 as of 2024, while in Iowa, the GDP per capita is $63,747 as of 2024.
be 10.5% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Massachusetts, 9.5% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Iowa, however, that number is 10.5% as of 2023.
Safety
be 32.4% more likely to be a victim of property crime
Massachusetts has a property crime rate of 1,077 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 1,427 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 62.7% less for a home
The median home value in Massachusetts is $525,800 as of 2023, compared to $195,900 in Iowa as of 2023.
pay 43.7% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Massachusetts is $1,687 as of 2023, while in Iowa, it is $949 as of 2023.
be 14.2% more likely to own your home
In Massachusetts, 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 71.5% as of 2023.
earn 27.8% less money
The median household income in Massachusetts is $101,341 as of 2023, while in Iowa, it is $73,147 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 9.5 minutes less
The average one-way commute in Massachusetts takes 29.3 minutes as of 2023. In Iowa, it takes 19.8 minutes as of 2023.
live in an area that is 93.6% less densely populated
Massachusetts has a population density of 348.0 people per sq km as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 22.2 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 80.8% more likely to be uninsured
In Massachusetts, 2.6% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 4.7% as of 2023.
be 34.4% more likely to smoke
In Massachusetts, 12.2% of adults smoke as of 2022. In Iowa, that number is 16.4% as of 2022.
be 16.9% more likely to be physically inactive
In Massachusetts, 21.3% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In Iowa, that number is 24.9% as of 2022.
live among residents who are 1.4 years older on average
The median age in Massachusetts is 40.0 years as of 2023. In Iowa, the median age is 38.6 years as of 2023.
be 36.6% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Massachusetts, 32.2% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.
be 60.8% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Massachusetts, 7.9% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 3.1% as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
