Last updated 2026-07-10 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Low costs, short commutes, and a Midwest quality of life that keeps surprising people.
1. Des Moines: Best overall
2. Iowa City: Best college town
3. Cedar Rapids: Best value
4. Davenport: Best riverfront
5. Ames: Best for families
6. West Des Moines: Best suburb
7. Dubuque: Best historic city
8. Sioux City: Best for affordability
Iowa rarely makes flashy headlines, and that is the point: it quietly delivers low costs, easy commutes, and strong schools without the congestion of bigger states. Insurance and finance anchor the economy, and college towns add energy. Here are the 8 best places to live in Iowa, ranked.