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Iowa

Among the top 16% of US states for affordability.

AffordabilityAffordability: grade B+, better than 84% 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)

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$1kbetter than 76% 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

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.
What is the median home value in Iowa?
The median home value in Iowa is $186k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
What is the median household income in Iowa?
Median household income in Iowa is $72k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
How much is rent in Iowa?
Median gross rent in Iowa is $895 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
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.

Best places to live in Iowa

Best for Affordable LivingBest for RetireesBest for Young FamiliesBest for Outdoor LoversBest for Great WeatherBest for Walkable City Living

Top cities in Iowa

Des MoinesCedar RapidsDavenportSioux CityIowa CityWest Des MoinesAnkenyWaterlooAmesCouncil BluffsDubuqueUrbandale

Counties in Iowa

Polk CountyLinn CountyScott CountyJohnson CountyBlack Hawk CountyWoodbury CountyDallas CountyDubuque CountyStory CountyPottawattamie CountyWarren CountyClinton County

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)