With its wealthy agricultural heritage, heat and welcoming cities, occasions just like the Iowa State Honest, and picturesque fields, Iowa could also be one of many cozy Midwestern states you’re contemplating dwelling on this 12 months. If Iowa sounds just like the state for you, then you may additionally be curious what cities match into your finances. As of April, the median dwelling sale worth in Iowa is $228,300.
If that worth doesn’t match into your finances, don’t fear. That can assist you discover the fitting place to purchase a house, Redfin has compiled a listing of seven of essentially the most inexpensive locations to reside in Iowa. And so they all have a median dwelling sale worth below $228,300. From Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, learn on to see what cities you might need to contemplate transferring to.
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#1: Waterloo
Median dwelling worth: $167,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $110Average hire for a 1-bedroom house: $750 Median family revenue: $46,942 Nearest main metro: Cedar Rapids (55 miles)Waterloo, IA properties for saleWaterloo, IA residences for hire
With a median dwelling sale worth of $167,500, Waterloo is essentially the most inexpensive place to reside in Iowa. About 67,300 folks reside in Waterloo and it’s roughly 55 miles from the closest metropolitan metropolis, Cedar Rapids. For those who’re contemplating transferring to this space be certain that to hike, boat, windsurf, or fish at George Wyth State Park, discover museums just like the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum and Waterloo Heart for the Arts, and take a look at the native outlets and eating places alongside the riverfront.
#2: Davenport
Median dwelling worth: $188,250 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $122Average hire for a 1-bedroom house: $977Median family revenue: $53,140 Nearest main metro: Cedar Rapids (80 miles)Davenport, IA properties for saleDavenport, IA residences for hire
Taking second place is Davenport, situated simply throughout the Mississippi River from Illinois. When dwelling on this metropolis of 101,700 folks, you’ll be able to try Centennial Park alongside the Mississippi River, discover the Hamburg Historic District, or stroll by Credit score Island Park.

#3: Council Bluffs
Median dwelling worth: $188,750Average sale worth per sq. foot: $144Average hire for a 1-bedroom house: $1,227 Median family revenue: $53,140 Nearest main metro: Omaha, NE (4 miles)Council Bluffs, IA properties for saleCouncil Bluffs, IA residences for hire
Try Council Bluffs when you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive place to maneuver to in Iowa. With 62,800 folks dwelling in Council Bluffs, it’s an amazing choice to think about when seeking to keep in Iowa with out paying the premium for a house in a dearer space. Residing in Council Bluffs, you’ll be able to spend time exterior at Riverside Park, Lake Manawa, or Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park. Or you’ll be able to uncover the reveals on the Western Historic Trails Heart and the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and discover Bayliss Park, situated in downtown Council Bluffs.
#4: Cedar Rapids
Median dwelling worth: $189,000 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $123Average hire for a 1-bedroom house: $1,022 Median family revenue: $60,787 Nearest main metro: Des Moines (130 miles)Cedar Rapids, IA properties for saleCedar Rapids, IA residences for hire
Fourth is Cedar Rapids the place about 137,700 residents at present reside. The median dwelling sale worth is $189,000 which is about $40K lower than the median dwelling sale worth in Iowa. If you end up transferring to the fifth most inexpensive metropolis in Iowa, be certain that to find museums just like the Nationwide Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and the Brucemore mansion. You can even discover the paths at Indian Creek Nature Heart, and take a look at the native distributors and eating places in NewBo Metropolis Market.

#5: Sioux Metropolis
Median dwelling worth: $190,000 Common sale worth per sq. foot: $121Average hire for a 1-bedroom house: $977 Median family revenue: $53,140 Nearest main metro: Omaha, NE (100 miles)Sioux Metropolis, IA properties for saleSioux Metropolis, IA residences for hire
A little bit dearer than Cedar Rapids is Sioux Metropolis, the following metropolis on our record. There are a number of high points of interest you might need to try in Sioux Metropolis. Be sure to discover Stone State Park the place you’ll be able to hike, camp, fish, and boat, stroll by downtown Sioux Metropolis, and go to museums like Sioux Metropolis Public Museum and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Heart.
#6: Des Moines
Median dwelling worth: $200,000Average sale worth per sq. foot: $188Average hire for a 1-bedroom house: $1,172Median family revenue: $54,843 Nearest main metro: Cedar Rapids (130 miles)Des Moines, IA properties for saleDes Moines, IA residences for hire
The sixth metropolis on our record of most inexpensive locations to reside in Iowa is none apart from Des Moines. Des Moines has about 214,100 residents and is a good metropolis to think about shopping for a house this 12 months. Whether or not you stroll or bike alongside the Des Moines Riverwalk, go to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, or go to the Iowa State Capitol, there are numerous actions to do and see on this metropolis.
>> Learn: Common Des Moines, IA, Neighborhoods to Dwell in
#7: Dubuque
Median dwelling worth: $208,500Average sale worth per sq. foot: $133 Median family revenue: $54,938 Nearest main metro: Cedar Rapids (75 miles)Dubuque, IA properties for saleDubuque, IA residences for hire
Claiming the ultimate spot on our record of inexpensive locations to reside in Iowa is Dubuque. With a inhabitants of about 59,700, you’ll be dwelling in a mid-sized metropolis, however there isn’t a scarcity of issues to expertise in Dubuque. If you end up transferring to this metropolis be certain that to take a look at the charming downtown Dubuque streets, go to one of many museums like Dubuque Museum of Artwork and Nationwide Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, or discover the 56-acre Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
Methodology: All cities will need to have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median dwelling sale worth below the common median dwelling sale worth in Iowa. Median dwelling sale worth and median sale worth per sq. foot from the Redfin Information Heart throughout April 2025. Common rental knowledge from Hire.com April 2025. Inhabitants and median family revenue knowledge sourced from the US Census Bureau.
