If you’re looking for some ideas on where to live in Iowa, you’ve come to the right place!
Obviously, the best place to live is a fairly subjective thing. It all depends on your lifestyle, your family, your job, your hobbies, and your budget.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when looking for the best place to live for YOU in Iowa:
- What is the cost of housing? (Home prices and rent)
- What is the job market like in the area?
- How is commuting and transportation?
- How good are public schools in the area?
- Is it a safe place to live?
- What is the culture like?
- What is there to do for fun?
- What is the weather and climate like throughout the year?
With that said, our picks for the best places to live in Iowa include:
- Cedar Rapids
- Des Moines
- Davenport
Read why they made the list below!
1. Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids is located in Linn County within the eastern part of Iowa.
With a population of 132,000, Cedar Rapids ranks 2nd largest in Iowa. It’s a medium-large city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Cedar Rapids’ climate is classified as humid continental with cold and occasionally harsh winters and hot, humid summers. Average highs range from 27 to 82 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 11 to 62, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Cedar Rapids on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
2. Des Moines
Des Moines is located in Polk County within the center of Iowa.
With a population of 215,600, Des Moines ranks largest in Iowa. It’s a medium-large city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Des Moines’ weather ranges from cold and dry in the winter to hot and humid in the summer.
Here’s how we rate Des Moines on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4.5/5 |
| Public Schools | 3.5/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
3. Davenport
Davenport is located in Scott County within the eastern part of Iowa along the Mississippi River.
With a population of 102,000, Davenport ranks 3rd largest in Iowa. It’s a medium sized city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Davenport’s winters are cold and windy with snow. Summers are warm and humid.
Here’s how we rate Davenport on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
Next Steps: Prepare for your Move
Moving to a new state or new city can be a pretty daunting process! Trust us, we’ve been there.
That’s why we’ve created this site to help you along the way. Check out some of our other resources as you continue down the path towards your new home:
Plus, we’ve made it easy for you to shop and compare all different types of insurance policies as you prepare for your move. (Expert tip: This is one of the BEST ways to save some money). Get started below: