Best Cities for Families in Iowa
Iowa ranks #3 of 50 for families, with a families score of 81.7. Urbandale is its best city for families at 73.6.
- Iowa, all states
- #3 of 50
- Population
- 46,595
Why Iowa Works for Families
Iowa is one of the very best state for families, ranking #3 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 233.9 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $75,501, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 87.8.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Iowa shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 89.9%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 69/100. Center-based infant care costs $13,253 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Iowa performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 233.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The low cost of living (index: 87.8) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Urbandale | A+ | 73.6 | 69.9 | 68 | 95 | 74 | 46,595 |
| 2Marion | A+ | 73.1 | 67.3 | 65 | 94 | 82 | 41,896 |
| 3Ankeny | A+ | 71.9 | 69.0 | 65 | 90 | 73 | 72,615 |
| 4Waukee | A+ | 71.3 | 70.9 | 64 | 94 | 71 | 29,236 |
| 5West Des Moines | A | 70.4 | 66.1 | 66 | 86 | 75 | 71,083 |
| 6Bettendorf | A | 69.5 | 65.5 | 62 | 96 | 77 | 39,647 |
| 7Cedar Falls | B+ | 67.2 | 61.5 | 65 | 90 | 80 | 40,888 |
| 8Ames | B+ | 66.5 | 60.8 | 63 | 91 | 80 | 67,669 |
| 9Cedar Rapids | B+ | 66.2 | 60.3 | 62 | 75 | 85 | 137,264 |
| 10Marshalltown | C+ | 64.4 | 54.0 | 61 | 80 | 91 | 27,626 |
| 11Dubuque | B | 62.9 | 58.6 | 62 | 70 | 85 | 59,174 |
| 12Iowa City | B+ | 62.8 | 59.3 | 67 | 79 | 77 | 75,752 |
| 13Mason City | B | 61.7 | 57.0 | 58 | 66 | 90 | 27,050 |
| 14Sioux City | C+ | 59.8 | 54.6 | 58 | 55 | 87 | 86,101 |
| 15Ottumwa | C | 59.3 | 51.6 | 57 | 74 | 91 | 25,430 |
| 16Waterloo | C | 58.1 | 49.8 | 59 | 58 | 88 | 67,008 |
| 17Des Moines | C | 57.8 | 52.0 | 51 | 46 | 81 | 212,421 |
| 18Council Bluffs | C | 56.3 | 52.1 | 61 | 57 | 83 | 62,586 |
| 19Davenport | C | 55.2 | 49.7 | 58 | 43 | 85 | 100,913 |
| 20Fort Dodge | C | 54.5 | 50.1 | 52 | 27 | 92 | 24,827 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Iowa for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iowa a good state for families?
Iowa ranks #3 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 81.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (86/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (22/100).
What is the best city for families in Iowa?
Urbandale ranks #1 in Iowa for families with a score of 73.6/100, followed by Marion and Ankeny.
What factors are most important for families in Iowa?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.