If you’re considering moving to Marshalltown, Iowa, you'll find a lovely, small city with a historic downtown and newer housing on the edges. Des Moines and Cedar Rapids are both within driving distance, so you can get to bigger-city amenities when you need them. Whether you’re relocating for work or for leisure, you’ll get city amenities without the traffic and crowds of a bigger metro.
You’ll find everything from historic homes near downtown to newer builds on the outskirts. The city also maintains a good number of parks and public recreation facilities, and local families make heavy use of them.
Cost of living in Marshalltown
The cost of living in Marshalltown is low, and that is a large part of the draw for anyone moving here. The overall expenses are below both the national and state averages. Housing costs are especially low. Median home values are well below those in larger Iowa cities and below the national median.
Everyday expenses, including groceries and healthcare, are generally lower in Marshalltown than in nearby urban centres like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Employers here pay competitive wages, and childcare is affordable, so the sums work out well for families.
Getting around in Marshalltown
Most people drive here, so getting around in Marshalltown is easiest with your own car. The city is easy to drive in, and the main highways are quick to reach for trips out of town.
If you’d rather not drive, Marshalltown Municipal Transit (MMT) runs local bus services. MMT runs Monday to Friday on four routes: Blue, Green, Red, and Orange. Between them, they cover most of the built-up area. Every bus has a wheelchair ramp or lift.
Peoplerides covers the area beyond the city limits and serves residents of Hardin, Marshall, Poweshiek, and Tama counties. Additionally, intercity travel is facilitated by Jefferson Lines and Greyhound.
It is possible to get around on foot in some parts of the city, especially in the more compact areas of Marshalltown.
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Healthcare in Marshalltown
For healthcare in Marshalltown, most residents use UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown Hospital, which has an emergency department and specialist services, including cardiology. The Marshalltown Multi-Specialty Clinic runs outpatient clinics in dermatology and nephrology as well as orthopaedic surgery.
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Schools in Marshalltown
Most families use the public schools in Marshalltown, and there is a small private sector alongside them. The Marshalltown Community School District runs the public schools. It has 10 schools and more than 5,000 students on its rolls.
The private schools are mostly faith-based and have smaller class sizes than the district schools.
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Weather in Marshalltown
The weather in Marshalltown is continental. Summers are warm, and winters are cold, so you get four clearly marked seasons. The Iowa River is close by, and the farmland around it is some of the most fertile in the state.
Summers are hot and humid. Locals swim, fish, cycle the Linn Creek Recreational Trail, and make the most of the parks. Winters are cold and snowy, and ice skating and other snow-based sports are the main winter pastimes.
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Working in Marshalltown
Working in Marshalltown mostly means manufacturing, healthcare, education, or the public sector. JBS runs a large meat processing plant here, and Emerson/Fisher Controls and Lennox Industries are the other major private employers. Marshalltown Community Schools and the Iowa Veterans Home account for a large share of public sector jobs.
In a city this size, a lot of jobs come through people you already know. The Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce runs Connect Marshalltown, a networking group that meets regularly at venues around the city.
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Accommodation in Marshalltown
If you’re renting accommodation in Marshalltown, you’ll find apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes. About a third of residents rent. Many owner-occupiers hold their homes outright, and turnover is low.
The easiest way to find a rental in Marshalltown is through online property platforms. Local real estate agents and the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce can help you through the process, from application to lease signing.
Central Marshalltown is the most affordable part of the city and the most convenient on foot. Shops, restaurants, bars, and the civic buildings are all a short walk away.
Younger residents tend to head for the west side, which has some of the city's lowest crime rates. You can walk most places from here, and it is close to the schools and the community college, which suits students and staff. Housing here is mostly mid-sized to large single-family homes and small apartment blocks. Much of it dates from the mid-20th century.
The south side has well-kept streets and a lot of renovated housing.
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Lifestyle in Marshalltown
The lifestyle in Marshalltown is small-town and outdoor-minded, and the shopping and eating out are concentrated downtown. Downtown Marshalltown and the 13th Street District are where you'll find the boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, and coffee places. The bars and live music venues in Marshalltown are clustered downtown.
Exhibitions and community events are held at the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center. The town also hosts the Oktemberfest every autumn. There is live music and a carnival, and most of the programme is aimed at families.
Sport is a big part of life here, whether you play or watch. You can play or watch American football, volleyball, cross-country, and esports through the school and college programmes. Residents turn out in numbers for the Marshalltown High School Bobcats and the Marshalltown Community College Tigers.
The Linn Creek Recreational Trail is eight miles (13 km) long. It starts at Riverview Park and ends at Grimes Farm, where you can pick up the Heart of Iowa Trail. At Grimes Farm and Conservation Center you can walk the trails or climb the observation tower. There is also a nature playscape for children. The Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center opens over the summer and has water slides and a lazy river.