Last updated 2026-07-10 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Low costs, short commutes, and steady Midwest jobs across the whole state.
1. Cedar Rapids: Best value overall
2. Waterloo: Cheapest overall
3. Sioux City: Best tri-state value
4. Davenport: Best riverfront value
5. Dubuque: Best historic value
6. Council Bluffs: Best near Omaha
7. Mason City: Best small city
8. Fort Dodge: Best for affordability
Iowa is affordable nearly everywhere, but a handful of cities stand out for low rents paired with real jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture. Here are the 8 cheapest places to live in Iowa, ranked.