Best places to live in Iowa
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Iowa using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#14. Ankeny, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,005
- Population: 68,392
- Median household income: $101,151
- Median home value: $281,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,289 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Prairie Trail Elementary School (grade A), Northeast Elementary School (grade A), Rock Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
#13. Bettendorf, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,021
- Population: 38,997
- Median household income: $100,570
- Median home value: $273,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Hopewell Elementary (grade A+), Pleasant View Elementary (grade A+), Pleasant Valley Junior High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Rivermont Collegiate (grade A+), Alleman High School (grade A minus), Assumption High School (grade A minus)
#12. Clive, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 908
- Population: 18,576
- Median household income: $124,908
- Median home value: $359,300 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,089 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
#11. Coralville, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,311
- Population: 22,494
- Median household income: $67,691
- Median home value: $271,800 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,022 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Wickham Elementary School (grade A), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Heritage Christian School (grade unavailable)
#10. Johnston, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,029
- Population: 23,856
- Median household income: $98,324
- Median home value: $332,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,225 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Prairie Trail Elementary School (grade A), Crocker Elementary School (grade A), Southview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
#9. Mount Vernon, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,119
- Population: 4,529
- Median household income: $98,991
- Median home value: $234,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $714 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Solon Intermediate (grade A minus), Washington Elementary School (grade A minus), Mount Vernon Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Cedar Valley Christian School (grade B minus), Isaac Newton Christian Academy (grade B minus), St. Matthew School (grade unavailable)
#8. North Liberty, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,758
- Population: 20,393
- Median household income: $100,197
- Median home value: $272,900 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,198 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Liberty High School (grade A), Christine Grant Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Isaac Newton Christian Academy (grade B minus)
#7. University Heights, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 674
- Population: 1,353
- Median household income: $102,838
- Median home value: $379,000 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,455 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Liberty High School (grade A), Christine Grant Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Heritage Christian School (grade unavailable)
#6. Urbandale, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,567
- Population: 45,591
- Median household income: $111,888
- Median home value: $298,500 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,108 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
#5. Waukee, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 823
- Population: 25,045
- Median household income: $106,846
- Median home value: $305,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,209 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
#4. West Des Moines, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,203
- Population: 68,744
- Median household income: $82,345
- Median home value: $266,700 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,153 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Van Meter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
#3. Ames, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,185
- Population: 66,265
- Median household income: $57,428
- Median home value: $247,500 (42% own)
- Median rent: $1,011 (58% rent)
- Top public schools: Gilbert Elementary School (grade A), Gilbert Middle School (grade A), Gilbert Intermediate School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Cecilia Elementary School (grade unavailable), Sacred Heart School (grade unavailable), Trinity Lutheran School (grade unavailable)
#2. Waterbury, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,409
- Population: 3,518
- Median household income: $180,996
- Median home value: $337,445 (90% own)
- Median rent: $954 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: Valley High School (grade A), Van Meter Middle School (grade A), Heritage Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
#1. Orange City, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,264
- Population: 6,278
- Median household income: $77,500
- Median home value: $227,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $767 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Hospers Elementary School (grade A+), Orange City Elementary School (grade A), MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Gehlen Catholic Schools (grade B+), Western Christian High School (grade B+), Unity Christian High School (grade B+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
