Is Muscatine Safe, Pros and cons of living in Muscatine

Muscatine, Iowa, nestled along the Mississippi River, offers a blend of small-town charm and the amenities of a larger city. This community provides a unique living experience with a distinct character shaped by its history and location. Understanding the various facets of life in Muscatine is key for anyone considering a move to this Iowa city.

The city is situated in a region with a moderate climate, experiencing distinct seasons. Its position on the river influences its environment and historical development, making it a point of interest for those seeking a Midwestern lifestyle. Muscatine presents a well-rounded picture of a community with a diverse range of characteristics to explore.

Is it Safe to Live in Muscatine?

Muscatine’s overall crime rate is lower than the national average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). In a typical year, the crime rate is approximately 24.09 per 1,000 residents (as reported by CrimeRate.com). This places Muscatine in the 50th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 50% of U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeRate.com).

When considering safety, it’s helpful to look at specific crime types. Violent crimes in Muscatine are reported to be 31.6% lower than the national average (as reported by CrimeRate.com). Property crimes are also lower than the national average, by about 30.2% (as reported by CrimeRate.com).

The chance of becoming a victim of crime in Muscatine varies by neighborhood. In the southern parts of the city, the risk is about 1 in 28, while in the northwest, it decreases to about 1 in 72 (as reported by CrimeRate.com). The cost of crime per resident in Muscatine is approximately $305 per year, which is less than the national average (as reported by CrimeRate.com).

Cost of Living in Muscatine

The cost of living in Muscatine is generally lower than the national average. Overall, living expenses are about 6% lower than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). This affordability extends to housing, which is notably less expensive than the national figure.

Housing costs in Muscatine are approximately 39.7% lower than the national average (as reported by Salary.com). The median home value in Muscatine is around $146,484 (as reported by Livability.com). For renters, the median monthly rent is about $722 (as reported by Livability.com), though other sources indicate a median rent of $980 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper).

When looking at other expenses, food costs in Muscatine are slightly more affordable than the U.S. average (as reported by Salary.com). Energy, transportation, and healthcare costs are also lower, contributing to the city’s overall affordability (as reported by Salary.com).

Job Market and Economy

Muscatine’s economy is supported by a diverse range of major employers. Key industries include manufacturing, food processing, and office furniture production (as reported by Muscatine Chamber of Commerce). Major companies contributing to the local job market include HNI Corporation, Kent Corporation, and The Kraft Heinz Company (as reported by Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Lensa).

The average salary in Muscatine is approximately $47,387 annually, which equates to about $22.78 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Other estimates place the average salary for jobs in Muscatine at $60,472 per year (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).

The unemployment rate in Muscatine County was 4.30% in the most recent reports (as reported by YCharts). This figure is higher than the long-term average for the county, indicating a slight increase in unemployment (as reported by YCharts).

Climate and Weather

Muscatine experiences a climate with distinct seasons. Summers are typically warm, humid, and wet, while winters are cold, snowy, and windy (as reported by WeatherSpark). The temperature throughout the year generally ranges from 12°F to 85°F (as reported by Livability.com).

Annual precipitation in Muscatine averages around 37 inches (as reported by Livability.com) to 39 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The wettest month is typically June, with an average of about 5 inches of rain (as reported by WeatherSpark). Winter brings an average of 26 inches of snowfall annually (as reported by Livability.com).

The city enjoys a comfortable humidity level during the summer months, making it pleasant for outdoor activities. The best times to visit or enjoy comfortable weather are generally from May to October (as reported by Livability.com).

Education and Schools

The Muscatine Community School District serves the city’s K-12 student population. The district has a student-teacher ratio of approximately 14 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that about 61% of students are proficient in math and 64% in reading (as reported by Niche).

While the district has areas for improvement, some individual schools perform well. Mulberry Elementary School and Franklin Elementary School are noted for achieving proficiency rates above district and state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Muscatine High School has a graduation rate of 83% (as reported by Homes.com).

Muscatine County’s public schools, on average, have math and reading proficiency scores that are slightly below the Iowa state average (as reported by Niche). The county’s schools are ranked within the bottom 50% of Iowa public schools (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Community

Muscatine has a population of approximately 23,797 residents according to the 2020 census (as reported by Wikipedia). The population has seen a slight decrease, with an estimated 2026 population of 23,068 (as reported by Population.us). The city’s population density is around 1,308.9 inhabitants per square mile (as reported by Wikipedia).

The racial composition of Muscatine includes a majority White population, with significant Hispanic and smaller percentages of Black, Asian, and Multiracial residents (as reported by Census Dots). The city is considered more diverse than Iowa overall (as reported by Census Dots).

The median age in Muscatine is 37 years (as reported by Population.us). The population is distributed across various age groups, with a notable presence of adults in the 25-44 and 45-64 brackets (as reported by Census Dots).

Housing Market Insights

The Muscatine housing market is described as somewhat competitive. The median listing price for a home is around $192,400 (as reported by Housing Market Trends). Homes in Muscatine typically sell faster than in the previous year, with a median of 13 days on the market in March 2026 (as reported by Redfin).

The median sale price of a home in Muscatine was $164,000 in March 2026, showing a year-over-year increase of 12.1% (as reported by Redfin). The median sale price per square foot has also seen a year-over-year increase of 18.9% (as reported by Redfin).

For those interested in renting, the median rent in Muscatine is approximately $980 per month as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper). Other sources indicate a median rent of $745 (as reported by Zillow).