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Avoca vs Portsmouth

Avoca, Iowa versus Portsmouth, Iowa: a factual, side-by-side comparison of cost of living, housing, safety, schools, and climate. Greener figures rank better among US places.

Overall livability

Avoca

Mixed · objective livability47/100

Portsmouth

Mixed · objective livability50/100

Avoca and Portsmouth score about the same overall (47 vs 50 of 100) — the differences are in the individual factors below.

Factor-by-factor comparison

FactorAvocaPortsmouth
Affordability
Median Household Income$66k$78k
Cost of Living$44k$44k
Home Value$165k$121k
Monthly Rent$798$663
Monthly Owner Costs$486$74
Property Tax Rate1.46%1.28%
Income Tax6.00%6.00%
Sales Tax6.94%6.94%
Estimated total tax burden11.92%10.27%
Unemployment2.3%0.0%
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)23°F23°F
Summer Temp (Jul)77°F77°F
Annual Precipitation34.3 in34.3 in
Annual Snowfall30.5 in30.5 in
Sunny Days228 days228 days
Summer Humidity66°F66°F
Comfortable Days65 days69 days
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk75.375.9
Air Quality44 AQI43 AQI
School Quality47.840.8
Violent Crime338/100k338/100k
Property Crime127/100k127/100k
Community
Population1,375175
Median Age45.850.5
Racial Diversity0.060.10
Male/Female Ratio0.860.88
Political LeaningR+41R+41
White (%)96.8%94.9%
Black (%)0.0%0.0%
Hispanic (%)0.7%0.0%
Asian (%)0.2%0.0%
Other / Multiracial (%)2.3%5.1%
Getting Around
Commute Time23 min
Walkability6.6/205.5/20
Airport Distance32 mi31 mi
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access81.8%79.3%
Amenities Nearby29.090.00
Park & Nature AccessLimitedModerate

Each figure is colored by how it ranks among all US places: green is strong, amber average, red weaker. Neutral factors (population, demographics, target-style climate) show their percentile without a better/worse claim.

Frequently asked questions

Is Avoca or Portsmouth more affordable?
Portsmouth has the lower cost of living: its index is $44k, compared with Avoca's $44k and Portsmouth's $44k. Median rent is $798 in Avoca versus $663 in Portsmouth.
Is Avoca or Portsmouth safer?
Portsmouth has the lower violent crime rate. Avoca reports 338/100k and Portsmouth reports 338/100k (violent crimes per 100,000 residents).
Are homes cheaper in Avoca or Portsmouth?
The median home value is $165k in Avoca and $121k in Portsmouth, so homes are more affordable in Portsmouth.
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