2019 Best Places to Live in IowaAbout this List

University Heights

• Town in Iowa

• A+

• A+

• 1,242 Population

Mount Vernon

• Town in Iowa
• 13

Current Resident: Great community for families and students. The town is very welcoming, and locals are very friendly.
Read 13 Reviews

• A+

• A

• 4,461 Population

Salisbury Oaks

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

• A+

• B

• 3,778 Population

Linden Heights

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

• A+

• B

• 1,787 Population

Waukee

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 24

Current Resident: We moved from Washington DC metro to Waukee 5 years ago and we love it!
Our kids are in the best school district in Iowa, great family, safe and friendly neighborhood, we attend the Waukee YMCA and Hope Lutheran's Church, Beyond the Bell before/ after school & summer camps that are very affordable compare to the East Coast.

The only thing missing is the beach!...but for now, we plan to stay here until our kids graduate from High school.
Read 24 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 17,980 Population

West Des Moines

• Town in Iowa
• 100

Former Resident: The people live up to the "Iowa nice" reputation! There are great public schools, as well as options for private. Shopping and dining options have greatly increased over the past ten years. Cost of living and taxes are also lower than most places. My biggest complaints would be 1)the harsh winter weather and 2)the relatively small airport if you enjoy traveling...(though getting through security usually only takes 10 minutes!).
Read 100 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 62,999 Population

Greenwood Historic

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

• A+

• B

• 1,991 Population

Clive

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 38

Niche User: I grew up in Clive all of my life! Clive is a part of the West Des Moines Community School District, the best district in Iowa. Clive is family friendly and a quiet place to live. The cost of living is affordable and has many opportunities for careers.
Read 38 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 17,134 Population

Waveland Park

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

• A+

• B+

• 3,942 Population

Ames

• Town in Iowa
• 294

Current Resident: Ames is a great place to live! It has a beautiful college campus and a unique Main Street. It has many parks and is family friendly. The city has great tasting water and was recently awarded best water in Iowa. One thing that I'd like to see change would be the cost of rent. Due to the high demand and student population, rent prices have skyrocketed, making it difficult for students and families to afford housing.
Read 294 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 65,005 Population

Coralville

• Town in Iowa
• 41

Current Resident: Coralville is a great place for people to raise a family or for couples just starting out. There are homes across all price ranges, plenty of retail, lots of restaurants, parks, bike trails, movie theaters, easy access on/off highways and close to the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!) and art, culture and nightlife in downtown Iowa City. Coralville itself has reasonable taxes, is safe, and still growing. We've lived here after living in Atlanta, Boston, Greater NYC, Chicago suburbs, and Seattle. Have to say it's one of the best places we've ever lived for overall quality of life, affordability and safety.
Read 41 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 20,250 Population

Iowa City

• Town in Iowa
• 265

Current Resident: I have had a phenomenal experience in Iowa City over the past 4 years. Raised in Chicago, standards were high, and leaving the big city prepared me to expect nothing but corn fields and campus. Arriving in "the I.C.", I saw much more than just a campus. Its absolutely beautiful, with many shops, restaurants, and a lovely surrounding neighborhood. Not only upon arrival did it already have these attributes, but since then it has not stopped it's exponential rate of development! Its constant, and spectacular work is being done to the city and buildings. Renovation and construction have made Iowa City even more substantial. Apart from it's structural aspects, the neighborly vibe motivates a student on campus, like myself, to reflect the positivity back on a daily basis. I've never felt so welcomed by strangers in my entire life, and am not surprised by Iowa being credited for having the 'nicest' population. I've fallen in love with Iowa City, and will miss it when I return to Chicago.
Read 265 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 73,415 Population

Bettendorf

• Town in Iowa
• 59

Current Resident: I have lived in this city for all of my life and loved it! It is right next to the beautiful Mississippi river, and there are many parks long bike trails for good exercise. The city is connected with several other cities along the river on both sides, and in the area combined there is just about anything you would want to do--great restaurants, a zoo, movie theaters, etc.
Read 59 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 35,293 Population

Waterbury

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
• 1

• A+

• B+

• 5,324 Population

North Liberty

• Town in Iowa
• 40

Current Resident: North Liberty is booming! There are a lot of young families here and new housing, but also older folks and homes still remain. Coralville, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City are all a short drive away. The community is very active and there is always something to do or somewhere to eat. The only thing missing is a leashless dog park. Otherwise, it is a fun and safe place to live.
Read 40 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 17,721 Population

Le Claire

• Town in Iowa
• 1

Current Resident: Excellent. The down town is beautiful. Lots of fun shops and restaurants. Baseball fields and a rec center are open to the public. Has some parks and a skate park. However, there needs to be more sidewalks in the city so children and families can be safe while riding their bikes or walking around the neighborhood.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• A+

• 3,940 Population

Urbandale

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 89

Current Resident: Great, family friendly area! Parks everywhere, everything is clean, low crime rate, excellent schools. Tons to do and very nice people in the area
Read 89 Reviews

• A+

• A

• 42,222 Population

Johnston

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 27

Current Resident: I love Johnston because of the caring community. So many people help out the Johnston’s Partnership, dedicating hours and money to help those in need. Community members volunteer as mentors at the schools to provide guidance and support to struggling students. In the summertime, when students don’t have access to free and reduced meals at school, community members package free meals and serve them at the library.
Read 27 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 20,172 Population

Orange City

• Town in Iowa
• 17

Current Resident: Orange City is a small town of 6,000 in Northwest Iowa. Don't let that number fool you, though. Orange City has a public elementary and high school, a private elementary and high school, private college, hospital, two retirement homes, fifteen churches and many more. It is bustling with activity, and Dutch heritage. We have the Tulip Festival on the third weekend in May; which showcases Dutch costumes, floats, foods, and many more! The whole town gets involved with putting on the Tulip Festival, and thousands of people from all over the world come to watch our Dutch kids scrub streets, dance, and ride floats. Orange City has been my home all my life, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. The sense of community and love that emits from this town is unbelievable.
Read 17 Reviews

• A

• A

• 6,123 Population

Meredith

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
• 2

Niche User: I love my area because of my comfortability, but there are more wealthy communities in the area than mine. However compared to the rest of the country, this is definitely a phenomenal suburb to live in. It is very safe and welcoming to anyone.
Read 2 Reviews

• A

• A

• 7,217 Population

Gilbert

• Town in Iowa
• 3

Current Resident: Gilbert is a small farm town right outside of Ames, Iowa. It has a gas station and a post office and a school system but not much else. It is surrounded by beautiful farm land and has gorgeous sunsets.
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• A+

• 1,197 Population

North of Grand

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
• 2

Niche User: Living in central Des Moines was a great opportunity for me. It will always be home no matter where "home" ends up changing to over the years. The atmosphere is wonderful. I live close to Downtown Des Moines, where there is always something going on. Also, I live not too far from the beautiful Gray's Lake and Water Works Park which are major attractions for walking. It has beautiful landscape.
Read 2 Reviews

• A

• B

• 4,358 Population

Ankeny

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 135

Current Resident: It’s a safe city. You won’t have to worry about much.
People are extremely reserved and proper here.
Expect to keep your outside house looking perfect.
People have what’s called Midwest nice. Google it.
Only 3 pets per household and you have to register your pets otherwise you could be fined.
Keep your cats indoors at all times, roaming animals is frowned upon.
Keep dog poop bags on you at all times, they take animal clean up seriously.
Buying a house is not enough. Once spring hits neighbors are lining up the best home improvement workers and it’s a contest to see who gets the most repairs in. Get to know your neighbors so you have a list of such repair men in demand.
Grow a backyard garden and share with your neighbors, this will gain friends quickly.
Schools are great and overachieving. Very involved with kids and parents!
There’s no animal control so no pound and police pick up strays.
Read 135 Reviews

• A

• A

• 56,237 Population

Westwood

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

• A

• B+

• 5,237 Population

Sherman Hill

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
• 2

Niche User: Located Downtown easy to get to everything!
Read 2 Reviews

• A

• B

• 2,775 Population