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Most Affordable in Iowa

Top 86 cities ranked by most affordable

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities
All Countries  ·  United States  ·  Iowa

Most Affordable — Iowa

1 Red Oak $91,600
2 Ottumwa $92,400
3 Keokuk $93,700
4 Fort Madison $95,900
5 Estherville $96,300
6 Oelwein $96,800
7 Centerville $99,000
8 Iowa Falls $106,300
9 Clarinda $112,200
10 Creston $112,600
11 Webster City $115,400
12 Clinton $115,400
13 Burlington $115,800
14 Marshalltown $117,100
15 Charles City $118,900
16 Cherokee $119,400
17 Perry $122,100
18 Maquoketa $126,800
19 Fort Dodge $128,900
20 Oskaloosa $128,900
21 Mason City $130,000
22 Manchester $130,500
23 Atlantic $134,900
24 Denison $137,600
25 Washington $144,500
26 Osceola $145,300
27 Mount Pleasant $145,600
28 Muscatine $146,900
29 Knoxville $147,600
30 Waterloo $150,200
31 Newton $151,600
32 Fairfield $152,900
33 Algona $156,200
34 Boone $156,400
35 Independence $156,900
36 Sioux City $162,600
37 Davenport $162,900
38 Storm Lake $163,600
39 Council Bluffs $164,300
40 Anamosa $164,900
41 Sheldon $173,600
42 Cedar Rapids $177,100
43 Nevada $177,800
44 Spencer $178,300
45 Winterset $181,500
46 Des Moines $183,700
47 Carroll $184,100
48 Grinnell $191,700
49 Dubuque $193,100
50 Glenwood $193,800
51 Le Mars $202,200
52 Hiawatha $210,200
53 Waverly $215,200
54 Spirit Lake $218,400
55 DeWitt $223,100
56 Indianola $228,100
57 Marion $230,800
58 Decorah $234,600
59 Clear Lake $235,100
60 Orange City $245,300
61 Windsor Heights $251,800
62 Cedar Falls $252,500
63 Altoona $257,300
64 Pella $259,600
65 Ames $263,800
66 Iowa City $273,600
67 Norwalk $275,700
68 Sioux Center $275,900
69 Grimes $281,000
70 Pleasant Hill $284,100
71 Coralville $286,000
72 West Des Moines $286,300
73 Sergeant Bluff $287,600
74 Bondurant $288,600
75 Bettendorf $295,600
76 North Liberty $300,000
77 Ankeny $311,300
78 Asbury $312,400
79 Tiffin $315,800
80 Urbandale $318,800
81 Adel $320,500
82 Waukee $328,200
83 Eldridge $329,400
84 Johnston $346,200
85 Clive $379,000
86 Polk City $385,000

The most affordable housing markets in Iowa offer opportunities for homeownership at a fraction of the cost of major metros. Red Oak has a median home value of just $91,600.

Affordable housing markets often feature lower costs of living overall, making them attractive to retirees, remote workers, and families building wealth through homeownership. Many of these cities offer solid community amenities despite their lower price points.

While low home values make homeownership accessible, they may also reflect limited job markets or slower economic growth. The rise of remote work has created new opportunities for these communities to attract residents who can earn higher salaries from distant employers.

Did You Know?

  • 1. In Red Oak, the median home costs just $91,600 — less than a new luxury car.
  • 2. Affordable housing markets have seen increased interest since the rise of remote work, as buyers can earn higher salaries from anywhere.
  • 3. Many of the most affordable cities are in the South and Midwest, where land costs and construction expenses are lower.

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