{"id":516906,"date":"2025-08-08T06:51:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T10:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/?p=516906"},"modified":"2025-08-08T06:51:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T10:51:20","slug":"best-places-to-live-in-iowa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.houzeo.com\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-iowa\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Best Places to Live in Iowa in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Americans love Iowa! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to a thriving art culture, the Hawkeye State has got it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The median home value for Iowa is $222,500<\/a>. For a rich cultural experience, Des Moines, and Council Bluffs are some of the best places to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is 5%<\/a> lower than the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in Iowa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc49 Download the Houzeo mobile app<\/strong><\/a> and start your Iowa home search today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>

3 Reasons to Live in Iowa \ud83e\udd85 <\/b> <\/p>\n

  1. Flourishing Job Market: <\/strong>By 2030, the job market in Iowa will rise by 13%<\/a>. Transportation, agriculture, and healthcare are the growing sectors.<\/li>\n
  2. Affordability:<\/strong> The utility cost in Iowa is 4%<\/a> less than the national average. <\/li>\n
  3. Excellent Education System:<\/strong> Iowa’s education system is ranked the 13th<\/a> best in the country. <\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    7<\/strong> Best Places to Live in Iowa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s our ranking of the top cities to live in Iowa. We\u2019ve evaluated each city based on community well-being, affordability, and housing trends. Explore the Iowa housing market<\/a> at these locations with strong home values and a great quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n <\/colgroup>\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    #<\/th>City<\/th>Population<\/th>Median Home Price<\/th>Monthly Expenses<\/th>Unemployment Rate\t<\/th>Community Well-Being Score\t<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    1.<\/td>Des Moines<\/a><\/b><\/td>213,164<\/td>$193,698<\/td>$8,417<\/td>3.3%<\/td>60\/100<\/td> <\/tr>\n
    2. <\/td>Cedar Rapids<\/a><\/b><\/td>136,929<\/td>$186,447<\/td>$8,163<\/td>3.9%<\/td>57\/100<\/td> <\/tr>\n
    3.<\/td>Iowa City<\/a><\/b><\/td>74,878<\/td>$281,140<\/td>$9,004<\/td>2.7%<\/td>71\/100<\/td> <\/tr>\n
    4. <\/td>Sioux City<\/a><\/b><\/td>85,469<\/td>$177,572<\/td>$7,837<\/td>3.3%<\/td>56\/100 <\/td> <\/tr>\n
    5.<\/td>Dubuque<\/a><\/b<\/td>59,315<\/td>$216,304<\/td>$8,014<\/td>3.7%<\/td>57\/100<\/td> <\/tr>\n
    6.<\/td>Davenport<\/a><\/b><\/td>101,448<\/td>$165,286<\/td>$7,852<\/td>5.2%<\/td>56\/100<\/td> <\/tr>\n
    7.<\/td>Cedar Falls<\/a><\/b><\/td>40,686<\/td>$234,099<\/td>$7,890<\/td>3.7%<\/td>55\/100<\/td> <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

    1. Des Moines: Best Places to Live in Iowa for Families<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Median Home Price<\/strong><\/td>\u2b06\ufe0f 6.0%<\/td><\/tr>
    Median Income<\/strong><\/td>$62,378<\/td><\/tr>
    Monthly Expenses<\/strong><\/td>$8,417<\/td><\/tr>
    Unemployment Rate<\/strong><\/td>3.3%<\/td><\/tr>
    Community Well-Being Score<\/strong><\/td>60\/100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Des Moines is Iowa’s capital city. It is biggest city in Iowa with a median home price in the city is $193,698<\/a>, which is quite affordable. Moreover, the cost of living in the city is 14%<\/a> lower than the national average. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The city is ideal for job seekers, in the last few years the job market saw a growth of 24.16%<\/a>. Des Moines is known for its top-rated education system. It’s also known for its excellent schools, making it a desirable location for families. Some of the high-ranking schools include Johnston Community School District, West Des Moines Community Schools, and Ankeny Community School District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u00bb Homes For Sale in Des Moines, IA<\/a>:<\/strong> Find your dream home in Iowa cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2.<\/strong> Cedar Rapids: Live in One of the Major Cities in Iowa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Median Home Price<\/strong><\/td>\u2b06\ufe0f 4.5%<\/td><\/tr>
    Median Income<\/strong><\/td>$66,895<\/td><\/tr>
    Monthly Expenses<\/strong><\/td>$8,163<\/td><\/tr>
    Unemployment Rate<\/strong><\/td>3.9%<\/td><\/tr>
    Community Well-Being Score<\/strong><\/td>57\/100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Cedar Rapids is the largest city in Eastern Iowa. The median home price in Cedar Rapids is $186,447<\/a>. The city’s cost of living is 15%<\/a> less than the national average. Also, Cedar Rapids has a booming job market, with an average annual salary of $56,076<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Transportation costs in the city 31.2%<\/a> less than the national average. Besides this, the city is home to one of the top employers like Rockwell Collins, Deloitte, and Wells Fargo. Cedar Rapids is one of the best place to live in Iowa for retirees. The city offers plenty of park trails and nearby lakes to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u00bb Homes For Sale in Cedar Rapids, IA<\/a>:<\/strong> View the best properties in Cedar Rapids online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3.<\/strong> Iowa City: Best Places to Live in Iowa for Young Adults<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Median Home Price<\/strong><\/td>\u2b06\ufe0f 3.9%<\/td><\/tr>
    Median Income<\/strong><\/td>$54,879<\/td><\/tr>
    Monthly Expenses<\/strong><\/td>$9,004<\/td><\/tr>
    Unemployment Rate<\/strong><\/td>2.2%<\/td><\/tr>
    Community Well-Being Score<\/strong><\/td>71\/100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The median home price in Iowa City has gone up by 3.9%<\/a>, as compared to last year. The cost of living in Iowa city is 7%<\/a> lower than the US average. Apart from this, the city is home to The University of Iowa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moreover, Iowa city has a thriving job market with an unemployment rate of 2.2%<\/a>. This makes it best place for young adults. The major employers in the city are MCI World and ALPLA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4.<\/strong> Sioux City: Live in One of the Safest Cities in Iowa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Median Home Price<\/strong><\/td>\u2b06\ufe0f 5.6%<\/td><\/tr>
    Median Income<\/strong><\/td>$64,250<\/td><\/tr>
    Monthly Expenses<\/strong> <\/td>$7,837<\/td><\/tr>
    Unemployment Rate<\/strong><\/td>3.3%<\/td><\/tr>
    Community Well-Being Score<\/strong><\/td>56\/100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The median home price in Sioux City is $170,144<\/a> less than the US average. The cost of living in the city is 24.1%<\/a> lower than the national average. The city is 37.%<\/a> cheaper than Iowa City when it comes to housing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sioux City is ideal for job seekers, with major employers like Wells Fargo, Verizon, Target and FedEX. Apart from this, the crime rate in this city is 4.1% less than national average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u00bb Homes For Sale in Sioux City, IA<\/a>:<\/strong> Find the best properties in the Sioux City neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5.<\/strong> Dubuque: One of the Best Iowa Cities<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Median Home Price<\/strong><\/td>\u2b06\ufe0f 3.2%<\/td><\/tr>
    Median Income<\/strong><\/td>$63,520<\/td><\/tr>
    Monthly Expenses<\/strong><\/td>$8,014<\/td><\/tr>
    Unemployment Rate<\/strong><\/td>3.7%<\/td><\/tr>
    Community Well-Being Score<\/strong><\/td>57\/100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    With a median home price of $216,304<\/a>, Dubuque is one of the best places to live in Iowa, due to its affordability. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $759<\/a>. This city is home to the prestigious University of Dubuque, which is ideal for those seeking higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The cost of housing in Dubuque is 18%<\/a> lower than the national average. Moreover, the city’s job market is projected to grow by 15.60%<\/a> in the coming years. Apart from this, city’s transportation costs are 29.2%<\/a> cheaper compared to US average. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83c\udfe1 Ready to Buy a Home in Iowa?<\/strong>Try Iowa’s Mortgage Calculator<\/a><\/strong> to see how much house you can afford. Get an instant amortization schedule and a detailed cost breakdown for free\ud83d\udcb2.<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    6.<\/strong> Davenport: Live in One of the Important Cities in Iowa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Median Home Price<\/strong><\/td>\u2b06\ufe0f 4.0%<\/td><\/tr>
    Median Income<\/strong><\/td>$59,890<\/td><\/tr>
    Monthly Expenses<\/strong><\/td>$7,852<\/td><\/tr>
    Unemployment Rate<\/strong><\/td>5.2%<\/td><\/tr>
    Community Well-Being Score<\/strong><\/td>56\/100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The median home price in Davenport is $165,286<\/a>. The cost of living in the city is 8%<\/a> lower than the national average. In addition, the city has a great educational setup. It’s home to the renowned St. Ambrose University and Kaplan University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Davenport is home to big corporations like John Deere, Genesis Health System, and Rock Island Arsenal. The city’s unemployment rate is 5.2%, which indicates a healthy job market in Davenport, with ample of job opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u00bb Homes For Sale in Davenport, IA<\/a>:<\/strong> Find your dream home on Houzeo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7.<\/strong> Cedar Falls: Live in One of the Best Cities in Iowa<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    Median Home Price<\/strong><\/td>\u2b06\ufe0f 6.3%<\/td><\/tr>
    Median Income<\/strong><\/td>$71,011<\/td><\/tr>
    Monthly Expenses<\/strong><\/td>$7,890<\/td><\/tr>
    Unemployment Rate<\/strong><\/td>3.7%<\/td><\/tr>
    Community Well-Being Score<\/strong><\/td>55\/100<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The median home price in Cedar Falls is $113,617<\/a> less than national average. Healthcare costs in the city are 5.5%<\/a> lower than the state average. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The city has a booming job opportunities and is ranked among the top places to work. It’s labor force is projected to grow by 17.%<\/a> in the coming years. Additionally, its economy has flourished in sectors like health sciences, transportation, construction, and retail marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u00bb Homes For Sale in Cedar Falls, IA<\/a>:<\/strong> View thousands of properties for sale in Cedar Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Iowa is one of the best places to live in the US<\/a> due to its thriving job market and low cost of living. Other things that contribute are its excellent education system and vibrant city life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Iowa’s current population is ~3 million<\/a>, an increase of 2.55%<\/a> in 2023. Moreover, the Hawkeye State is ranked 7th<\/a> among the best states to live in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whether you\u2019re drawn to the business hub of Des Moines or the college town vibe of Iowa City, Iowa offers diverse lifestyles. Explore listings, compare prices, and make offers online with just a few clicks on Houzeo, Iowa\u2019s best home buying website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Research Methodology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We considered different regions to rank the best places in Iowa. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Iowa and the information sources are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n