Rent, home prices, and cost of living in Iowa
Iowa is not one housing market. Compare renter and buyer costs, then filter 86 cities by the constraints that matter to your move.
Major cities in Iowa
Tax context: top income-tax rate 5.7%, estimated combined sales tax 6.94%, property-tax proxy 1.57%. Use the dedicated tax tool for an income scenario.
Data boundary: city housing and income use committed Zillow/Census inputs; non-housing costs use BEA regional proxies; mortgage estimates use the committed FRED benchmark. Tax values are state context, not an individual filing or parcel bill.
Frequently asked questions about Iowa
Iowa housing questions
What is the most affordable city to live in Iowa?+
Among the cities we track, Keokuk stands out as the most affordable option in Iowa. The median home value there is $93,700, and monthly rent typically runs around $810. The local median household income is $49,340, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in Iowa?+
Clive is currently the priciest market in IA. Homes there are valued at a median of $426,162, and renters can expect to pay around $1,099/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $131,082 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in Iowa?+
Iowa uses an approximate state-income-tax planning model; 5.7% is top marginal-rate context. The state-level effective owner-occupied property-tax proxy is 1.57% and is not an individual bill. State plus average local sales-tax context is 6.94%.
How much does housing vary across Iowa?+
There's a huge range. In Keokuk, the median home costs around $93,700. In Clive, that number jumps to $426,162 — roughly 4x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $810/month vs. $1,099/month. Where you choose to settle within IA can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is Iowa a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. Iowa has a wide range of living costs depending on the city. Typical home values range from around $93,700 in lower-cost tracked places to $426,162 in higher-cost tracked places. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, state-level tax proxies, and everyday cost pressure across locations in IA.