Living in Iowa

#29 in population growth

Should you move to Iowa?

Iowa, the Hawkeye State, is synonymous with American heartland. Known for its agricultural prowess, Iowa is also a rising star in industries like manufacturing, biotechnology, and green energy. Its balance of economic opportunity, quality education, and Midwestern charm makes it an appealing choice.

Iowa’s economy is robust and diverse. While it’s a leading producer of corn and soybeans, Iowa is also home to a thriving industrial sector, with significant contributions from food processing, machinery, and biotechnology industries. Des Moines, the capital, is a major hub for the insurance industry, earning it the moniker “Hartford of the West.”

Living in Iowa means embracing the essence of the Midwest. From the lively city life in Des Moines, with its thriving arts scene and culinary delights, to the charm of smaller communities where everybody knows your name, Iowa offers a relaxed and friendly lifestyle. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate activities like biking along the High Trestle Trail or boating on the Mississippi River.

Iowa is also known for its commitment to education, with highly rated public schools and prestigious higher institutions like the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.

So, if you’re seeking a state that offers a healthy work-life balance, a strong economy, excellent education, and a sense of community, Iowa might be a perfect choice. Just remember, Iowans take their state fair and their corn seriously!

#31 in population

Population

3,200,517

National Avg 6,652,315

#15 in population

Population Per Square Mile

57

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does Iowa Score?

A
Home Affordability
A
Cost of Living
D
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in Iowa

Climate

How Does Iowa Compare?

#26
in Sunny Days
#33
in Annual Rainfall
#19
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#15

How Does Iowa Compare?

#15
in Healthcare
#43
in Available Beds
#24
in Doctors Per Resident

0

Children's Hospitals

0

VA Medical Centers

15

VA Clinics

Iowa Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#7

How Does Iowa Compare?

#7
in Cost of Living
#31
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#15
in Living Wage

Iowa State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to Iowa? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in Iowa

#20

Iowa School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #14 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

67%

Proficient or Above

28%

Ranked #18 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

71%

Proficient or Above

29%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
92.8%
Bachelors Degree
29.7%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know Iowa

State Capital

Des Moines

Area Codes

319, 515, 563, 641, 712

Time Zone

Central Time Zone

Number of Counties

99

Land Area (square miles)

55,853

Motto

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

State Bird

Eastern goldfinch

Housing

#5
#5 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$161,700

National $440,300

#6 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$845

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$524

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

1,275,893

Persons Per Household

2.42

Rent vs Own

Own 71.6%
Rent 28.4%

Economy

#28 in household income

Median Household Income

65,429

National $70,784

#9 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
66.8%
Poverty Rate
11.1%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$22,419,847

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$7,110,658

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$8,913,447

Per Capita Retail Sales

15,925

Counties

Diversity

#45
White alone
89.8%
Black or African American alone
4.4%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
0.6%
Asian alone
2.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.2%
Two or More Races
2.2%
Hispanic or Latino
6.9%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
83.7%

Foreign Born Persons

5.5%

Veterans

174514

Persons Under 5 years
5.8%
Persons Under 18 years
22.6%
Persons 65 years and over
18.3%

Is Diversity essential?

Find culture and diversity in the Most Diverse Places in the US.

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