Iowa
Among the top 18% of US states for affordability.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B+, better than 82% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 59% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 65% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade C, better than 37% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 75% of US states
- top 6% for cost of living
- top 10% for commute time
- bottom 14% for air quality
Iowa is a U.S. state with about 3,189,000 residents. It grades B+ for affordability and C for getting around. Standout strengths include cost of living, commute time, and monthly rent. It rates lower on airport distance and air quality.
Official websiteiowa.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Iowa is $186k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Iowa is $72k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Iowa is $895 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Iowa has a violent crime rate of 950/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Iowa is 20 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$72k41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$44kbetter than 94% of US states
Home Value$186k14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$895better than 88% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$39kbetter than 80% of US states
Property Tax Rate1.53%better than 18% of US states
Income Tax6.01%better than 36% of US states
Sales Tax6.94%better than 56% of US states
Estimated total tax burden12.27%better than 32% of US states
Unemployment3.8%better than 86% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)21°F14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation36.6 in33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall32.5 inbetter than 37% of US states
Sunny Days222 daysbetter than 51% of US states
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 39% of US states
Comfortable Days87 daysbetter than 68% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk62.8better than 88% of US states
Air Quality50 AQIbetter than 14% of US states
School Quality56.5better than 42% of US states
Violent Crime950/100kbetter than 72% of US states
Property Crime1330/100kbetter than 76% of US states
Community
Population3,188,83639th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.633rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2312th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0171st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)83.8%90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.7%29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)6.5%33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)2.5%41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.5%18th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time20 minbetter than 90% of US states
Walkability8.3/20better than 43% of US states
Airport Distance135 mibetter than 16% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.3%better than 25% of US states
Amenities Nearby6.38better than 86% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 78% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Iowa an affordable place to live?
- Iowa is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $44k, better than 94% of comparable areas. Median rent is $895.
- Is Iowa safe?
- Iowa is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 950/100k (better than 72%). Property crime is 1330/100k.
- What is the weather like in Iowa?
- Iowa averages 74°F in July and 21°F in January, with 36.6 in of annual precipitation and about 222 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Iowa?
- Public-school quality in Iowa is about average, scoring better than 42% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Iowa?
- The average one-way commute in Iowa is 20 min.