Cheapest Places to Live in Iowa (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in Iowa? We ranked 10 Iowa cities by median home value. The cheapest is Waterloo (~$152,000); the Iowa median is $212,000.
Most affordable cities in Iowa
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | $152,000 | $131 |
| 2 | Creston | $159,000 | $89 |
| 3 | Sioux City | $181,000 | $149 |
| 4 | Davenport | $185,000 | $143 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $209,000 | $160 |
| 6 | Weldon | $212,000 | $246 |
| 7 | Des Moines | $233,000 | $208 |
| 8 | Woodburn | $246,000 | $130 |
| 9 | Iowa City | $308,000 | $199 |
| 10 | Dubuque | $347,500 | $194 |
Most expensive cities in Iowa
The priciest Iowa markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubuque | $347,500 | $194 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $308,000 | $199 |
| 3 | Woodburn | $246,000 | $130 |
| 4 | Des Moines | $233,000 | $208 |
| 5 | Weldon | $212,000 | $246 |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $209,000 | $160 |
| 7 | Davenport | $185,000 | $143 |
| 8 | Sioux City | $181,000 | $149 |
| 9 | Creston | $159,000 | $89 |
| 10 | Waterloo | $152,000 | $131 |
How we rank Iowa cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all Iowa home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
Iowa affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in Iowa? +
Based on median home value, Waterloo is among the most affordable cities in Iowa, with a typical home around $152,000 — well below the Iowa median of $212,000.
What is the most expensive city in Iowa? +
By median home value, Dubuque is among the priciest in Iowa, with a typical home around $347,500.
Is Iowa an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Iowa is about $212,000 (28% more affordable than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $152,000 to $347,500.