87 have matched ACS place data.
wheretolive.us
Real data. Smarter moves. Better living.
State index
Iowa state guide
Compare large Iowa cities by 2025 Census population, young-grad fit, BLS state unemployment, schooling access, cost pressure, commute, and safety-check notes. The current Iowa subset includes 87 Midwest city pages with a combined 2025 population estimate of 1,994,402.
What the current Iowa catalog shows
Tiffin, Iowa has the strongest verified population-growth signal in this Iowa subset at +58.28% since the 2020 estimates base. Polk City, Iowa has the lowest ACS rent-to-income baseline among the matched catalog cities at 5.7%. These figures describe the WhereToLive.us city subset, not a statewide average.
Median of matched city ACS gross-rent estimates; not a statewide rent.
Median of matched city ACS household-income estimates; not a statewide income.
Median of matched city ACS owner-occupied home values.
Waukee, Iowa leads this subset at 85/100.
Median of matched city approximate ACS commute estimates.
| City | Catalog | Grad fit | Median rent | Median income | 2025 population | City unemployment | Growth | Jobs | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, Iowa | State starter | 66/100 | $1,090 | $65,932 | 212,086 | 5.6% | -0.91% | competitive | rent watch |
| Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 69/100 | $967 | $70,424 | 137,935 | 3.6% | +0.14% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Davenport, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 67/100 | $978 | $66,200 | 100,358 | 4.6% | -1.35% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Sioux City, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 66/100 | $976 | $68,906 | 86,356 | 4.5% | +0.52% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Ankeny, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 84/100 | $1,319 | $108,198 | 77,833 | 1.9% | +14.29% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Iowa City, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 69/100 | $1,094 | $58,546 | 76,229 | 4.6% | +1.87% | competitive | rent watch |
| West Des Moines, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 82/100 | $1,237 | $86,594 | 74,224 | 2.4% | +8.00% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Ames, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 73/100 | $1,023 | $60,991 | 68,220 | 5.8% | +2.68% | competitive | rent watch |
| Waterloo, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 63/100 | $923 | $57,480 | 66,919 | 5.3% | -0.58% | competitive | rent watch |
| Council Bluffs, Iowa | Iowa coverage | 64/100 | $1,030 | $64,578 | 62,680 | 4.2% | -0.18% | competitive | rent watch |
| Dubuque, Iowa | 2025 population #688 | 68/100 | $948 | $65,845 | 59,148 | 4.5% | -0.88% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Urbandale, Iowa | 2025 population #851 | 81/100 | $1,211 | $112,795 | 48,570 | 2.9% | +6.58% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Marion, Iowa | 2025 population #970 | 74/100 | $961 | $86,743 | 42,732 | 3.6% | +2.84% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Cedar Falls, Iowa | 2025 population #1005 | 72/100 | $1,203 | $76,987 | 41,240 | 3.9% | +1.26% | competitive | rent watch |
| Bettendorf, Iowa | 2025 population #1022 | 78/100 | $1,187 | $100,495 | 40,710 | 2.4% | +4.13% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Waukee, Iowa | 2025 population #1192 | 85/100 | $1,383 | $101,029 | 34,890 | 3.5% | +45.73% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Marshalltown, Iowa | 2025 population #1464 | 66/100 | $891 | $69,068 | 27,536 | 5.3% | -0.21% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Mason City, Iowa | 2025 population #1493 | 64/100 | $882 | $64,804 | 26,853 | 2.8% | -1.82% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Ottumwa, Iowa | 2025 population #1597 | 63/100 | $921 | $61,103 | 25,319 | 4.6% | -0.90% | competitive | rent watch |
| Johnston, Iowa | 2025 population #1620 | 79/100 | $1,338 | $106,551 | 25,065 | 2.1% | +4.72% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Fort Dodge, Iowa | 2025 population #1635 | 66/100 | $785 | $60,649 | 24,837 | 6.0% | -0.24% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Clinton, Iowa | 2025 population #1666 | 64/100 | $791 | $60,230 | 24,049 | 3.7% | -1.71% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Coralville, Iowa | 2025 population #1671 | 79/100 | $1,057 | $69,144 | 23,960 | 2.2% | +7.34% | competitive | rent watch |
| Burlington, Iowa | 2025 population #1707 | 60/100 | $924 | $59,000 | 23,336 | 3.9% | -2.85% | competitive | rent watch |
| Muscatine, Iowa | 2025 population #1720 | 60/100 | $974 | $58,117 | 23,164 | 4.3% | -2.82% | competitive | rent watch |
| Altoona, Iowa | 2025 population #1743 | 80/100 | $1,235 | $86,114 | 22,796 | 7.5% | +15.92% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| North Liberty, Iowa | 2025 population #1799 | 81/100 | $1,246 | $102,102 | 21,976 | 3.3% | +7.29% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Clive, Iowa | 2025 population #1958 | 80/100 | $1,073 | $132,121 | 19,861 | 4.0% | +6.66% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Grimes, Iowa | 2025 population #2168 | 85/100 | $1,251 | $120,037 | 17,405 | 1.9% | +12.17% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Indianola, Iowa | 2025 population #2225 | 75/100 | $986 | $75,453 | 16,829 | 4.0% | +6.28% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Newton, Iowa | 2025 population #2343 | 65/100 | $819 | $57,771 | 15,741 | 5.7% | -0.11% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Norwalk, Iowa | 2025 population #2405 | 82/100 | $838 | $102,722 | 15,004 | 3.4% | +17.25% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Boone, Iowa | 2025 population #2759 | 66/100 | $831 | $69,222 | 12,471 | 2.0% | +0.17% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Storm Lake, Iowa | 2025 population #2903 | 69/100 | $898 | $62,765 | 11,590 | 4.4% | +2.84% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Oskaloosa, Iowa | 2025 population #2914 | 65/100 | $831 | $64,004 | 11,493 | 4.8% | -0.54% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Pleasant Hill, Iowa | 2025 population #2954 | 80/100 | $1,215 | $90,508 | 11,239 | 8.2% | +10.72% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Spencer, Iowa | 2025 population #2958 | 68/100 | $805 | $59,667 | 11,218 | 4.5% | -0.90% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Pella, Iowa | 2025 population #3007 | 77/100 | $1,046 | $84,111 | 10,992 | 1.1% | +5.06% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Le Mars, Iowa | 2025 population #3051 | 68/100 | $929 | $74,701 | 10,760 | 2.8% | +1.70% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Waverly, Iowa | 2025 population #3096 | 73/100 | $1,057 | $80,284 | 10,561 | 3.5% | +1.55% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Carroll, Iowa | 2025 population #3205 | 63/100 | $722 | $69,706 | 10,085 | 2.5% | -2.37% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Fort Madison, Iowa | 2025 population #3238 | 58/100 | $826 | $50,705 | 9,935 | 7.3% | -3.68% | competitive | rent watch |
| Bondurant, Iowa | 2025 population #3290 | 84/100 | $1,337 | $135,674 | 9,647 | 0.9% | +30.35% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Keokuk, Iowa | 2025 population #3316 | 59/100 | $871 | $52,711 | 9,510 | 4.9% | -3.96% | competitive | rent watch |
| Grinnell, Iowa | 2025 population #3339 | 67/100 | $895 | $65,320 | 9,430 | 4.0% | -1.30% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Fairfield, Iowa | 2025 population #3408 | 68/100 | $870 | $51,311 | 9,220 | 11.8% | -2.15% | competitive | rent watch |
| Sioux Center, Iowa | 2025 population #3500 | 79/100 | ACS pending | $92,983 | 8,864 | 1.2% | +7.68% | competitive | starter-friendly |
| Mount Pleasant, Iowa | 2025 population #3596 | 58/100 | $826 | $61,042 | 8,500 | 1.7% | -8.50% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Denison, Iowa | 2025 population #3687 | 63/100 | $731 | $65,684 | 8,214 | 5.4% | -1.96% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Perry, Iowa | 2025 population #3691 | 70/100 | $931 | $68,910 | 8,208 | 3.6% | +4.67% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Webster City, Iowa | 2025 population #3803 | 62/100 | ACS pending | $34,773 | 7,815 | 3.5% | -0.12% | competitive | starter-friendly |
| Clear Lake, Iowa | 2025 population #3867 | 68/100 | $808 | $79,415 | 7,601 | 2.4% | -0.99% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Knoxville, Iowa | 2025 population #3907 | 66/100 | $801 | $61,599 | 7,469 | 4.8% | -1.67% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Hiawatha, Iowa | 2025 population #3920 | 73/100 | $855 | $66,270 | 7,432 | 4.0% | +3.44% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Decorah, Iowa | 2025 population #3925 | 68/100 | $853 | $64,366 | 7,417 | 4.0% | -2.25% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Creston, Iowa | 2025 population #3956 | 63/100 | $703 | $52,633 | 7,335 | 3.6% | -2.72% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Washington, Iowa | 2025 population #3983 | 62/100 | $968 | $55,373 | 7,261 | 3.3% | -1.37% | competitive | rent watch |
| Tiffin, Iowa | 2025 population #4018 | 84/100 | $1,224 | $100,952 | 7,156 | 0.4% | +58.28% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Adel, Iowa | 2025 population #4037 | 80/100 | $926 | $95,250 | 7,098 | 2.7% | +15.23% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Charles City, Iowa | 2025 population #4068 | 60/100 | $735 | $59,180 | 7,013 | 4.6% | -5.20% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Nevada, Iowa | 2025 population #4081 | 70/100 | $953 | $75,094 | 6,974 | 2.0% | +0.78% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Eldridge, Iowa | 2025 population #4088 | 77/100 | $945 | $106,316 | 6,954 | 1.0% | +3.53% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Atlantic, Iowa | 2025 population #4176 | 64/100 | $764 | $61,141 | 6,676 | 1.1% | -1.65% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Polk City, Iowa | 2025 population #4193 | 82/100 | $782 | $164,389 | 6,630 | 3.2% | +19.39% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Orange City, Iowa | 2025 population #4254 | 75/100 | $789 | $82,122 | 6,468 | 2.7% | +3.14% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Independence, Iowa | 2025 population #4311 | 70/100 | $820 | $73,806 | 6,312 | 2.3% | +4.18% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Asbury, Iowa | 2025 population #4399 | 75/100 | $1,522 | $124,957 | 6,035 | 1.2% | +1.53% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Maquoketa, Iowa | 2025 population #4403 | 63/100 | $795 | $60,240 | 6,027 | 8.6% | -1.70% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Anamosa, Iowa | 2025 population #4460 | 72/100 | $966 | $60,650 | 5,901 | 5.2% | +8.39% | competitive | rent watch |
| Estherville, Iowa | 2025 population #4509 | 64/100 | $754 | $54,124 | 5,807 | 1.1% | -1.73% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Oelwein, Iowa | 2025 population #4532 | 59/100 | $847 | $46,653 | 5,757 | 7.6% | -2.90% | competitive | rent watch |
| DeWitt, Iowa | 2025 population #4552 | 72/100 | $955 | $92,587 | 5,704 | 4.1% | +3.45% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Osceola, Iowa | 2025 population #4563 | 71/100 | $943 | $68,284 | 5,679 | 6.0% | +5.09% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Sheldon, Iowa | 2025 population #4609 | 67/100 | $930 | $62,159 | 5,575 | 0.6% | +1.18% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Spirit Lake, Iowa | 2025 population #4638 | 68/100 | $911 | $65,720 | 5,525 | 3.1% | +1.51% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Winterset, Iowa | 2025 population #4642 | 66/100 | $1,095 | $67,708 | 5,520 | 3.0% | +2.91% | competitive | rent watch |
| Red Oak, Iowa | 2025 population #4698 | 58/100 | $812 | $50,109 | 5,388 | 2.9% | -3.72% | competitive | rent watch |
| Manchester, Iowa | 2025 population #4711 | 73/100 | $802 | $61,191 | 5,357 | 3.5% | +5.58% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Centerville, Iowa | 2025 population #4723 | 62/100 | $755 | $46,563 | 5,327 | 3.6% | -1.72% | competitive | rent watch |
| Sergeant Bluff, Iowa | 2025 population #4725 | 76/100 | $1,156 | $123,481 | 5,324 | 1.7% | +6.23% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Algona, Iowa | 2025 population #4731 | 60/100 | $885 | $56,040 | 5,309 | 2.0% | -3.26% | competitive | rent watch |
| Glenwood, Iowa | 2025 population #4744 | 69/100 | $924 | $71,790 | 5,287 | 2.7% | +3.79% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Clarinda, Iowa | 2025 population #4751 | 64/100 | $660 | $46,348 | 5,273 | 6.5% | -1.90% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Cherokee, Iowa | 2025 population #4824 | 64/100 | $728 | $61,750 | 5,122 | 2.4% | -1.31% | competitive | rent-friendly |
| Windsor Heights, Iowa | 2025 population #4865 | 64/100 | $1,498 | $91,707 | 5,059 | 1.4% | -3.69% | competitive | rent watch |
| Iowa Falls, Iowa | 2025 population #4896 | 62/100 | $831 | $50,417 | 5,013 | 9.1% | -1.86% | competitive | rent watch |
| Vinton, Iowa | 2025 population #4899 | 70/100 | $942 | $66,495 | 5,004 | 2.5% | +1.42% | competitive | rent-friendly |