With its rich agricultural heritage, welcoming towns, events like the Iowa State Fair, and picturesque fields, Iowa may be one of the cozy Midwestern states you consider living in this year. If Iowa sounds like a good fit for you, you might also be curious about which cities fit your budget. As of July, Iowa median home sales price It’s $240,500.
Don’t worry if the price doesn’t fit your budget. To help you find the right place to buy a home, Redfin compiled a list of the 7 most affordable places to live in Iowa. Their median home sales are all below $240,500. from monk arrive cedar rapidsread on to find out which cities you might want to consider moving to.
#1: Waterloo
Median house price: $163,750
Average sales price per square foot: $125
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $700
Median household income: $46,942
Nearest major metro: Cedar Rapids (55 miles)
Waterloo, IA Homes for Sale
Apartments for Rent in Waterloo, IA
With a median home sale price of $163,750, Waterloo is the most affordable place to live in Iowa. Waterloo is home to approximately 67,300 people and is approximately 55 miles from the nearest metropolitan city, Cedar Rapids. If you’re considering moving to the area, be sure to hike, paddle, windsurf, or fish at George Wise State Park, explore museums like the John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum, and Waterloo Arts Centerand visit the local shops and restaurants of Riverside.
#2: Dubuque
Median house price: $185,000
Average sales price per square foot: $135
Median household income: $54,938
Nearest major metro: Cedar Rapids (75 miles)
Dubuque, IA Homes for Sale
Dubuque, IA Apartments for Rent
Second on our list of affordable places to live in Iowa is Dubuque. Dubuque has a population of approximately 59,700 people, and although you live in a mid-sized city, there’s no shortage of things to experience in Dubuque. If you move to the city, be sure to check out the charming streets of downtown Dubuque and visit one of the following museums dubuque art museum and National Mississippi River Museum and Aquariumor explore the 56-acre Dubuque Botanical Gardens.
#3: Davenport
Median house price: $187,500
Average sales price per square foot: $123
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,040
Median household income: $53,140
Nearest major metro: Cedar Rapids (80 miles)
Davenport, IA Homes for Sale
Apartments for Rent in Davenport, IA
In third place is Davenport, across the Mississippi River from Illinois. While you’re in this city of 101,700, you can visit Centennial Park along the Mississippi River, explore Hamburg’s historic district, or stroll through Credit Island Park.
#4: Council Bluffs
Median house price: $192,000
Average sales price per square foot: $147
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,275
Median household income: $53,140
Nearest major metro: Omaha, Nebraska (4 miles)
Homes for Sale in Council Bluffs, IA
Apartments for Rent in Council Bluffs, IA
If you’re looking for affordable housing in Iowa, check out Council Bluffs. Council Bluffs is home to 62,800 people, making it a good choice if you want to live in Iowa but don’t want to buy a home in a more expensive area. While living in Council Bluffs, you can spend quality time outdoors at Riverside Park, Lake Manawa, or Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park. Or you can visit the Western Historic Trails Center and Union Pacific Railroad Museumand explore Bayliss Park in downtown Council Bluffs.
#5: Cedar Rapids
Median house price: $200,000
Average sales price per square foot: $121
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $765
Median household income: $60,787
Nearest major metro: Des Moines (130 miles)
Cedar Rapids, IA Homes for Sale
Apartments for Rent in Cedar Rapids, IA
Fifth is Cedar Rapids, currently home to approximately 137,700 residents. The median home sale is $200,000, which is about $40,000 lower than the Iowa median home sale. If you find yourself moving to Iowa’s fifth most expensive city, be sure to visit the following museums National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and Brucemore House. You can also explore the trails at Indian Creek Nature Center and check out the local vendors and restaurants at NewBo City Market.
#6: Sioux City
Median house price: $213,500
Average sales price per square foot: $129
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,060
Median household income: $53,140
Nearest major metro: Omaha, Nebraska (100 miles)
Sioux City, IA Homes for Sale
Apartments for Rent in Sioux City, IA
A little more expensive than Cedar Rapids is Sioux City, the next city on our list. There are several popular attractions in Sioux City that you may want to visit. Be sure to explore Stone State Park, where you can hike, camp, fish, and boat, wander downtown Sioux City, and visit museums such as Sioux City Public Museum and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
#7: Des Moines
Median house price: $221,000
Average sales price per square foot: $197
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,012 USD
Median household income: $54,843
Nearest major metro: Cedar Rapids (130 miles)
Des Moines, IA Homes for Sale
Des Moines, IA Apartments for Rent
The final city on our list of the most affordable places to live in Iowa is none other than Des Moines. monk With approximately 214,100 residents, it’s a great city to consider buying a home this year. Whether you walk or bike along the Des Moines Riverwalk, visit the Papajohn Sculpture Park, or visit the Iowa State Capitol, the city has plenty to do and see.
method: All cities must have more than 50,000 residents and have a median home sales price lower than the average median home sales price in Iowa, according to the U.S. Census. Median home sales and median sales price per square foot Red Fin Information Center Average rent data for the period July 2024 rental network July 2023. U.S. Census Bureau.
