Rows tagged local are specific to Norwalk (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Des Moines, IA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 9/10 (district 1921240 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
92.8
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
96.6
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.28
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$94,176
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$53,008
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.06%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+28.3%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$259,500
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.8×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+1.2%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$157
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,650 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$956
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,530
Median days on market
20
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
11.2%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.94%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
3.80%
Capital gains tax
3.80%
state
#0 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
1.87%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,855
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$11,000
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$400
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.00% of value (~$280/yr)
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
9
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
13.9¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$125
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$3.10/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$73
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$93
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
45
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
900
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,600
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
85°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
12°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
35.0"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
35.0"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
55%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
5b
Frost window
05-10 → 10-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
300
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,800
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
47
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
38
Hiking areas
8
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
1
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#0 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.