Local chamber says need for workforce housing still exists. Posted: Jan 18, 2021 1:30 PM Posted By: Mike Bunge MASON CITY, Iowa – A new report says apartment rentals in Mason City are among the least expensive in the United States. The Mason City Area Chamber of Commerce says with an average monthly rent of $550, Mason City ranked third behind Ponca City, Oklahoma ($502) and Kalamazoo, Michigan ($534). The average rate for a similar-size apartment in Manhattan is $4,235. But Mason City’s low ranking may not last. “Last month’s opening of The River, a 133-unit housing complex in Downtown Mason City, will impact future reports,” says Chamber President Robin Anderson. “Despite the low rental rates cited in the study, North Iowa continues to suffer from a lack of rental housing stock, which has impacted our region’s ability to recruit employees. The early occupancy rate at The River is 60%, which confirms the need for workforce housing. Two-bedroom units in The River start at $925 per month.”