Iowa has a cost of living index of 71 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $67,947 and a population of 2,610,083. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Iowa.
Urbandale is 6% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $113,086 and a population of 46,026.
Clive is 3% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $131,082 and a population of 18,776.
Waukee is 2% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $106,728 and a population of 26,974.
Grimes is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $104,497 and a population of 15,810.
North Liberty is 6% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $103,933 and a population of 20,782.
Ankeny is 3% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $106,603 and a population of 70,542.
Johnston is 0% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $103,430 and a population of 24,196.
Marion is 20% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $87,105 and a population of 41,690.
Bettendorf is 10% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $102,917 and a population of 39,297.
West Des Moines is 8% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $84,925 and a population of 69,893.
Norwalk is 19% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $94,583 and a population of 13,610.
Sioux City is 27% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $65,473 and a population of 85,651.
Marshalltown is 32% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $68,854 and a population of 27,491.
Mason City is 31% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $62,369 and a population of 27,135.
Indianola is 20% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,125 and a population of 15,918.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.