2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Mason City, IA vs Pekin, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Pekin or is it cheaper to live in Mason City?
- Pekin is 8.2% more expensive than Mason City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Pekin or Mason City?
- Pekin housing costs are 6.5% less expensive than Mason City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Mason City or is Health Care more affordable in Pekin.
- Health related expenses are 13.1% more in Pekin.
 Mason City, IAPekin, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock79.3100
 Food & Groceries92.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock113.7100
 Housing37.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$104,300$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock77.5100
 Miscellaneous101.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Mason City    8 Reviews

I am from the area originally and have lived several places. I recently moved back from Arizona. I moved back to help with my elderly parents. If I did not have  More

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Over 13 years ago

Where to begin?? Murder,arson,abductions,beastialty,gang killings,meth labs,pantie thiefs. High utility bills, no jobs, corrupt police, evil judges, minus 40 below wind  More

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Over 14 years ago

Unless you have a tie to Mason City, such as family, don't even consider this desolate town. The population is declining rapidly for a reason. You are on an island,  More

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Reviews for Pekin    3 Reviews

My review is a question to residents of Marshaltown, Iowa. Recent talk is that Pekin, Illinois is getting a Swift Pork processing plant. The residents are restless and  More

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Over 16 years ago

I have traveled and lived all over the world. Pekin rates about in the middle of the places I have lived. Small town atmosphere with some bigger city facilities. The  More

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There is not a whole lot to do unless you want to eat at every fast-food restaurant there is. They do have a very nice public park with volleyball and tennis courts  More

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