2019 Best Places to Live in IowaAbout this List

University Heights

• Town in Iowa

• A+

• A+

• 1,242 Population

Mount Vernon

• Town in Iowa
• 14 reviews

Current Resident: Great small town with local events throughout the year. A warm and welcoming community. It's a good sign to meet so many families who grew up here and have moved back after college and work in order to raise their children. I've enjoyed the bars, the local affordable movie theater, the Sing-a-long Bar and the great BBQ with its own house-made craft beer.
Read 14 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
• 29 reviews

Current Resident: We love our neighborhood! It's close to the schools and a great pet-friendly neighborhood. It's also close to some great gyms, restaurants, and parks. Conveniently located less than 15 minutes from Des Moines, 5 minutes from West Des Moines — great places to go explore, volunteer & have fun! Proud to call Waukee home.
Read 29 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 17,980 Population

West Des Moines

• Town in Iowa
• 106 reviews

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 106 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 62,999 Population

Greenwood Historic

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

• A+

• B

• 1,991 Population

Clive

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 39 reviews

Current Resident: Clive is an excellent city to live in. Close to everything. The Waukee school district is amazing! Always growing and the teachers are great. Also, Mission Fitness is an excellent gym located minutes from Clive. Awesome classes for all ages and skill levels! The coaches are so motivating and push you to be your best self!
Read 39 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 17,134 Population

Waveland Park

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA

• A+

• B+

• 3,942 Population

Ames

• Town in Iowa
• 311 reviews

Current Resident: The University is the main feature of the City of Ames. It is a beautiful campus with a variety of different features and amenities available to the students attending the university, as well as the citizens of the city. Within the city there is an average level of entertainment: two movie theatres, a variety of restaurants to suit your fancy, a mall for shopping, as well as beautiful areas to hike and relax in nature. I think were the city lacks is that it doesn't have more to offer in the terms of shopping, as well as activities that people could enjoy: for example paintball, fire arm ranges, night clubs of a higher caliber than just for college students getting intoxicated. Overall I believe Ames is a great place to live, it may not have everything that I would like, but I love the city for what it is... a place of potential!
Read 311 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 65,005 Population

Coralville

• Town in Iowa
• 42 reviews

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 42 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 20,250 Population

Iowa City

• Town in Iowa
• 274 reviews

Current Resident: Iowa City offers city/college life as well as suburban options. Conveniently located next to Coralville and about a 30-minute drive to Cedar Rapids (depending on location), it's difficult to be bored here. Multiple food options that continue to expand. Yet, living is expensive, so living without a roommate or significant other is rarely an option, which may be a main contributor to the homeless population. Iowa City has maintained some historical portions of the city, particularly downtown, so many of the houses are older and need work. Overall, Iowa City has a lot to offer as far as family activities and nightlife. Whether you're a college student or a professional, Iowa City is worth looking into.
Read 274 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 73,415 Population

Bettendorf

• Town in Iowa
• 61 reviews

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 61 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 35,293 Population

Waterbury

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
• 1 review

• A+

• B+

• 5,324 Population

North Liberty

• Town in Iowa
• 40 reviews

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
• 2 reviews

Current Resident: I like living in a small cultured tourist town such as Le Claire. There are things to do and local shops to see. I live in an area that has MidAmerican Energy which I enjoy having. There is also a consumer choice in Internet services which is nice. The amount of local business diversity is amazing!
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 3,940 Population

Urbandale

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 91 reviews

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 91 Reviews

• A+

• A

• 42,222 Population

Johnston

• Suburb of Des Moines, IA
• 31 reviews

Current Resident: I live in a beautiful part of town. Right by school, actually, and the sunrises are the prettiest thing you’ll ever see. My neighbors are wonderful and I live really close to my friends. The shopping takes time some days but it’s fine because we usually get ice cream at the end of it at our local ice cream parlor. The teachers at school are very helpful and intelligent people, who truly care if you do well or not. I’m conclusion, Johnston is an excellent place to live, and I don’t think I’ve lived anywhere that I’ve felt happier.
Read 31 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• 20,172 Population

Orange City

• Town in Iowa
• 22 reviews

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 22 Reviews

• A

• A

• 6,123 Population

Meredith

• Neighborhood in Des Moines, IA
• 2 reviews

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 reviews

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 reviews

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
• 143 reviews

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 143 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 reviews

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

• A

• B

• 2,775 Population