Iowa
Iowa ranks #15 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 69.6/100 and a B+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (85/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (22/100).
How Does Iowa Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Iowa
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Waukee | A+ | 69.8 | 26,974 | $106,728 | 153.6 | 95.5 |
| 53 | Ankeny | A+ | 65.7 | 74,455 | $105,862 | 142.8 | — |
| 54 | Urbandale | A+ | 65.7 | 46,026 | $113,086 | 125 | — |
| 139 | West Des Moines | A | 62.1 | 72,161 | $83,637 | 174.4 | 92.7 |
| 150 | Marion | A | 61.7 | 41,690 | $87,105 | 226.2 | 87.2 |
| 169 | Bettendorf | A | 61.1 | 39,297 | $102,917 | 98.1 | — |
| 198 | Cedar Falls | A | 60.2 | 40,662 | $74,165 | 14.7 | 88 |
| 301 | Ames | B+ | 57.6 | 65,676 | $58,693 | 172.7 | 91.4 |
| 438 | Cedar Rapids | B | 54.4 | 135,960 | $66,720 | 304.2 | 90 |
| 439 | Dubuque | B | 54.4 | 59,271 | $64,985 | 442.8 | 89.1 |
| 460 | Iowa City | B | 53.9 | 75,671 | $50,135 | 359.4 | 91.8 |
| 508 | Mason City | C+ | 52.8 | 27,135 | $62,369 | 201.9 | — |
| 610 | Council Bluffs | C+ | 50.6 | 62,564 | $64,092 | 448.5 | 92.5 |
| 631 | Sioux City | C+ | 50.1 | 85,172 | $62,350 | 575.2 | 88.1 |
| 677 | Ottumwa | C | 48.7 | 25,352 | $56,994 | 339.5 | — |
| 719 | Des Moines | C | 47.9 | 210,363 | $60,882 | 712.6 | 92.7 |
| 724 | Waterloo | C | 47.6 | 66,604 | $52,320 | 576.9 | 88 |
| 735 | Davenport | C | 47.2 | 100,361 | $69,595 | 688.6 | 89.3 |
| 740 | Marshalltown | C | 47.1 | 27,491 | $68,854 | 464.1 | — |
| 744 | Fort Dodge | C | 47.0 | 24,788 | $61,769 | 684.1 | — |
Best Cities in Iowa for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukee | 69.9 | 62.5 | 91.1 | 72.8 |
| 2 | Urbandale | 67.3 | 67.8 | 93.6 | 67.1 |
| 3 | Cedar Falls | 67.1 | 64.5 | 100.0 | 77.5 |
| 4 | Ankeny | 66.2 | 64.6 | 89.0 | 66.5 |
| 5 | Marion | 66.1 | 65.0 | 87.6 | 79.9 |
More Midwest States
Iowa Rankings Overview
Iowa earns an overall grade of B+ with a composite score of 69.6 out of 100, ranking #15 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (85/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (22/100).
Economy & Employment in Iowa
With an unemployment rate of 3% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Iowa performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $72,429, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Iowa
Iowa's violent crime rate of 295 per 100,000 residents places it in the top half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Iowa
Iowa ranks #22 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #12 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Iowa is 78.4 years, and the high school graduation rate is 92%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Iowa
Iowa's total tax burden is 9.23% of personal income, which is above the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 3.8%. The effective property tax rate is 1.49% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 6.94%.
Housing & Affordability in Iowa
The median home price in Iowa is $228,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 89 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
Environment in Iowa
Iowa has a median air quality index of 43 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 67% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest rates in the country. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 38.3 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in Iowa
Iowa's population growth rate is +0.4% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is -0.1 per 1,000 residents. 94.5% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Iowa
The top-ranked cities in Iowa based on our composite scoring are Waukee, Ankeny, and Urbandale. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Iowa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Iowa's overall ranking?
Iowa ranks #15 out of 50 states with a composite score of 69.6/100 and a grade of B+.
Is Iowa a good place to live?
Iowa ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 69.6/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Iowa?
The violent crime rate in Iowa is 295 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Iowa's economy compare?
Iowa's median household income is $72,429 with an unemployment rate of 3%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Iowa?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Iowa are Waukee, Ankeny, and Urbandale.
How does Iowa rank for families?
Iowa ranks #13 of 50 states for families with a score of 77.2/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Iowa rank for retirees?
Iowa ranks #13 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 72.5/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Iowa rank for remote workers?
Iowa ranks #10 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 65.7/100. This is a top-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.