Iowa moving guide

Where should I move in Iowa?

We ranked 27 Iowa cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Ankeny

   Home $311,300 · Rent $1,279 · Income $106,603 · Unemployment 2.2%
   79/100
2. 2

   Johnston

   Home $346,200 · Rent $1,288 · Income $103,430 · Unemployment 1.8%
   73/100
3. 3

   Urbandale

   Home $318,800 · Rent $1,176 · Income $113,086 · Unemployment 2.9%
   72/100
4. 4

   North Liberty

   Home $300,000 · Rent $1,226 · Income $103,933 · Unemployment 2.9%
   71/100
5. 5

   Waukee

   Home $328,200 · Rent $1,290 · Income $106,728 · Unemployment 4.1%
   69/100
6. 6

   West Des Moines

   Home $286,300 · Rent $1,194 · Income $84,925 · Unemployment 2.5%
   69/100
7. 7

   Bettendorf

   Home $295,600 · Rent $1,148 · Income $102,917 · Unemployment 2.0%
   68/100
8. 8

   Coralville

   Home $286,000 · Rent $1,021 · Income $66,508 · Unemployment 2.5%
   62/100
9. 9

   Marion

   Home $230,800 · Rent $978 · Income $87,105 · Unemployment 3.4%
   62/100
10. 10

    Cedar Rapids

    Home $177,100 · Rent $925 · Income $67,859 · Unemployment 3.9%
    55/100
11. 11

    Ottumwa

    Home $92,400 · Rent $956 · Income $56,994 · Unemployment 3.7%
    54/100
12. 12

    Cedar Falls

    Home $252,500 · Rent $1,177 · Income $74,165 · Unemployment 3.2%
    47/100
13. 13

    Fort Dodge

    Home $128,900 · Rent $764 · Income $61,769 · Unemployment 4.1%
    46/100
14. 14

    Altoona

    Home $257,300 · Rent $1,203 · Income $87,123 · Unemployment 6.7%
    44/100
15. 15

    Iowa City

    Home $273,600 · Rent $1,094 · Income $57,533 · Unemployment 4.2%
    43/100

Statewide, Iowa recorded 1,443 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #40 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in Iowa to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.