c.1880 Five Bedroom Iowa Home Under $75K

1102 High St, Keokuk, IA 52632      $74,900

• Contact Realtor: Lisa M. Johnson
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Pros

1. Low Cost of Living & Affordable Housing

   • The cost of living index for Keokuk is about 78 (with 100 being the U.S. average), meaning it’s ~22% cheaper than the U.S. average.

   • Median home values are quite low: around $80,000‑$95,000, depending on sources.

   • Rent is affordable: two‑bedroom units are much cheaper than the national average.

2. Short Commutes / Smaller Scale

   • Average commute times are short (≈14 minutes).

   • Because it’s a smaller city (~10,000 people), traffic, congestion etc. are less of an issue. You tend to get to many local amenities without long travel.

3. Good Affordability for More Basic Living

   • Utility, grocery, and general living expenses are more manageable; housing especially is a major plus if your budget is modest.

   • For people wanting to stretch their dollar, Keokuk offers much more bang for the buck.

4. Community / Small/Tight‑knit Feel

   • Smaller size tends to lead to a closer community, where people may know each other more. (This is anecdotal / from resident feedback.)

   • Amenities are simpler but sufficient for many needs.

5. Declining but Improving Crime Trend

   • Some data shows the crime rates (violent & property) have been decreasing year over year in recent years.

   • This suggests some potential for improvements in quality of life if the trend continues.

Cons

1. Relatively High Crime Rates

   • Keokuk has crime rates well above national averages, particularly for property crime and in some categories of violent crime.

   • Some neighborhoods see much higher crime; safety can vary a lot depending on exact location.

2. Lower Incomes & Higher Poverty

   • Median household income in Keokuk is well below the national median.

   • Poverty rate is around 18‑19%, which is higher than average across many U.S cities.

   • Educational attainment tends to be lower: fewer people with bachelor’s degrees; many with some college or only high school

3. Population Decline / Aging & Economic Stagnation

   • The city has seen a decline in population over recent years.

   • Economic opportunities are more limited; many jobs are lower wage, and higher‑paying or specialized roles are scarcer.

4. Amenities / Services Limitations

   • While there are basic amenities, for specialist health care, entertainment, or high‑end cultural options you may have to travel out of town.

   • Some infrastructure (road maintenance, utilities, etc.) gets mentioned in resident discussions as having issues. (Especially older housing in decline, etc.)

5. Lower Ratings for Education Outcomes

   • Schools report lower performance in some measures; fewer people with higher education degrees.

   • Some parents may see fewer opportunities locally for advanced classes, extracurriculars etc.

6. Less Growth / Fewer Opportunities for Some Lifestyles

   • For those who want more “buzz” — nightlife, cultural diversity, job competition in niche fields — Keokuk may feel limiting.

   • Aging population and fewer recent investments are drawbacks if you are expecting fast growth or development.