Best Cities for Remote Workers in Iowa
Iowa ranks #10 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 63.9. Waukee is its best city for remote workers at 70.9.
- Iowa, all states
- #10 of 50
- Population
- 29,236
Why Iowa Works for Remote Workers
Iowa ranks #10 out of 50 for remote workers — one of the best environments in the country for location-independent professionals. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. On that front, Iowa's cost-of-living index of 87.8 is well below the national average — a remote worker earning a coastal salary here gains significant purchasing power.
The moderate work-from-home rate of 9.9% suggests growing but not yet dominant remote work adoption. Broadband subscriptions reach 90.7% of households, below the 50-state average — check service at a specific address, especially in rural areas.
Taxes are moderate at 9.23% of income — not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 86/100) is a clear advantage — the typical home is worth $239,547, putting homeownership well within reach.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers
| # City | Grade | Remote Workers score | Overall | Affordability | Economy | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Waukee | A+ | 70.9 | 70.9 | 71 | 71 | 29,236 |
| 2Urbandale | A+ | 70.7 | 69.9 | 74 | 73 | 46,595 |
| 3Ankeny | A+ | 69.8 | 69.0 | 73 | 72 | 72,615 |
| 4Marion | A+ | 68.4 | 67.3 | 82 | 61 | 41,896 |
| 5West Des Moines | A | 66.5 | 66.1 | 75 | 64 | 71,083 |
| 6Bettendorf | A | 66.2 | 65.5 | 77 | 67 | 39,647 |
| 7Cedar Rapids | B+ | 63.5 | 60.3 | 85 | 51 | 137,264 |
| 8Cedar Falls | B+ | 61.2 | 61.5 | 80 | 59 | 40,888 |
| 9Mason City | B | 60.9 | 57.0 | 90 | 52 | 27,050 |
| 10Dubuque | B | 59.9 | 58.6 | 85 | 52 | 59,174 |
| 11Marshalltown | C+ | 59.7 | 54.0 | 91 | 31 | 27,626 |
| 12Sioux City | C+ | 59.4 | 54.6 | 87 | 52 | 86,101 |
| 13Ames | B+ | 59.2 | 60.8 | 80 | 54 | 67,669 |
| 14Des Moines | C | 58.2 | 52.0 | 81 | 48 | 212,421 |
| 15Fort Dodge | C | 57.5 | 50.1 | 92 | 48 | 24,827 |
| 16Iowa City | B+ | 55.5 | 59.3 | 77 | 53 | 75,752 |
| 17Council Bluffs | C | 54.3 | 52.1 | 83 | 48 | 62,586 |
| 18Waterloo | C | 54.3 | 49.8 | 88 | 39 | 67,008 |
| 19Davenport | C | 54.0 | 49.7 | 85 | 45 | 100,913 |
| 20Ottumwa | C | 53.2 | 51.6 | 91 | 45 | 25,430 |
City remote workers 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.
Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings
Also See: Iowa for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iowa a good state for remote workers?
Iowa ranks #10 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 63.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (86/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (22/100).
What is the best city for remote workers in Iowa?
Waukee ranks #1 in Iowa for remote workers with a score of 70.9/100, followed by Urbandale and Ankeny.
What factors are most important for remote workers in Iowa?
Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.