Best places to live in Iowa
We cover 6 places in Iowa, home to 691,000 residents. The largest is Des Moines (212,000), the fastest growing since 2020 is Ankeny (+14.3%), and the lowest metro price level is in Sioux City (86.5). The top state income tax rate is 3.8%. The average combined sales tax is 6.94%.
Best places to live in Iowa, ranked
Each city gets a score out of 100 from six official measures, weighted as shown: home prices compared with income (25%), household income (15%), population growth since 2020 (15%), short commutes (15%), comfortable months of weather (15%) and low poverty (15%). Scores compare all 546 large US cities, so a 70 in Iowa means the same as a 70 anywhere. See the national ranking and method.
| # | City | Score | Home value to income | Income | Growth | Commute | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | 79 | 3.1× | $108,198 | +14.3% | 21 min | 4 |
| 2 | Sioux City | 62 | 2.5× | $68,906 | +0.5% | 18 min | 5 |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | 59 | 2.7× | $70,424 | +0.1% | 19 min | 3 |
| 4 | Des Moines | 53 | 3.0× | $65,932 | -0.9% | 20 min | 4 |
| 5 | Davenport | 52 | 2.5× | $66,200 | -1.3% | 19 min | 3 |
| 6 | Iowa City | 44 | 4.9× | $58,546 | +1.9% | 17 min | 5 |
Best for retirees, young professionals or families? Every city page shows all four scores, and the city quiz ranks cities by what matters to you.
Largest cities in Iowa
| City | Population 2025 | Growth | Home value | Rent | Income | Price level | Jan high | Jul high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,086 | -0.9% | $194,700 | $1,090 | $65,932 | 91.7 | 31° | 86° |
| Cedar Rapids | 137,935 | +0.1% | $187,100 | $967 | $70,424 | 89.0 | 30° | 86° |
| Davenport | 100,358 | -1.3% | $166,400 | $978 | $66,200 | 89.1 | 32° | 86° |
| Sioux City | 86,356 | +0.5% | $173,600 | $976 | $68,906 | 86.5 | 30° | 85° |
| Ankeny | 77,833 | +14.3% | $331,000 | $1,319 | $108,198 | 91.7 | 31° | 86° |
| Iowa City | 76,229 | +1.9% | $285,900 | $1,094 | $58,546 | 91.5 | 31° | 86° |
Taxes in Iowa
Iowa has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3.8% in 2026. The state sales tax is 6%, and with the average local rate added it comes to 6.94%. Source: Tax Foundation, 2026. Local income taxes are not included.
Top parks and sights in Iowa
The Iowa parks, museums, landmarks and natural wonders people know best. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Iowa State Capitol Museum
- Effigy Mounds National Monument National monument
- Roseman Covered Bridge Bridge
- Des Moines Art Center Museum
Places from Wikidata (CC0), ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover them.