There is more to Iowa than farmers, Hawkeyes fans, and Des Moines. There are many awesome places in the great Midwest for those looking to retire.
Take a look below at our list of the best places to retire in Iowa for 2025. This report is our tenth time ranking the best places to retire in the Hawkeye State.
To determine Iowa’s best places to retire, we looked at the latest FBI and Census reports on crime, demographics, affordable housing, distance to the closest international airport, and amenities for 35 cities with over 10,000 residents. The numbers don’t lie.
We discovered that the best places to retire in Iowa are also some of the state’s safest. Secondly, many of the top ten have great rates if you choose to rent. And the ultimate reason to move to one of Iowa’s best places to retire is that they house some of the nicest people.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Iowa For 2025
Where is the best place to retire in Iowa for 2025? Carroll is the best place to retire in Iowa according to the most recent data.
If you’re already kicking up your feet in one of Iowa’s best places to retire, congrats. If not, look at our list below before making any life-changing decisions.
Why did Carroll take the top spot? And where are Des Moines and Cedar Rapids?
For more Iowa state reading:
- Best Places To Live In Iowa
- Cheapest Places To Live In Iowa
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Iowa
- Best Places To Retire In America
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Iowa For 2025
/10
Population: 10,261
Median Income: $59,323
Median Home Price: $184,100
Median Rent: $718
Distance to Closest Airport: 72 miles
More on Carroll: Data
/10
Population: 15,696
Median Income: $56,321
Median Home Price: $151,600
Median Rent: $828
Distance to Closest Airport: 34 miles
More on Newton: Data
/10
Population: 10,221
Median Income: $49,359
Median Home Price: $95,900
Median Rent: $824
Distance to Closest Airport: 72 miles
More on Fort Madison: Data
/10
Population: 11,492
Median Income: $62,172
Median Home Price: $128,900
Median Rent: $880
Distance to Closest Airport: 55 miles
More on Oskaloosa: Data
/10
Population: 24,425
Median Income: $57,493
Median Home Price: $115,400
Median Rent: $751
Distance to Closest Airport: 30 miles
More on Clinton: Data
/10
Population: 13,610
Median Income: $94,583
Median Home Price: $275,700
Median Rent: $869
Distance to Closest Airport: 3 miles
More on Norwalk: Data
/10
Population: 39,297
Median Income: $102,917
Median Home Price: $295,600
Median Rent: $1,148
Distance to Closest Airport: 8 miles
More on Bettendorf: Data
/10
Population: 11,393
Median Income: $57,068
Median Home Price: $178,300
Median Rent: $795
Distance to Closest Airport: 134 miles
More on Spencer: Data
/10
Population: 23,800
Median Income: $55,274
Median Home Price: $115,800
Median Rent: $931
Distance to Closest Airport: 54 miles
More on Burlington: Data
/10
Population: 41,690
Median Income: $87,105
Median Home Price: $230,800
Median Rent: $978
Distance to Closest Airport: 69 miles
More on Marion: Data
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In the Hawkeye State for 2025
To create our ranking of the best places in Iowa to retire, we used Saturday Night Science. We analyzed Census data to find all places in the Hawkeye State — 1002 cities and towns.
We then narrowed it down to places with at least 10,000 people that weren’t townships. This left us with 35 places from across the state.
For these 35, we looked at the following criteria taken from the Census, the FBI’s Crime Report, National Weather Service, and OpenFlights:
- Low cost of living as measured by rent
- Low crime
- Things to do (Museums, Colleges, and Libraries in town)
- Nice weather
- Distance to the closest international airport
- Other retirees (High median age)
We then ranked each of these places for each criterion from one to 35, with the lowest number being the best.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Carroll, with the lowest average rank, was crowned the best of the best, a place for you to start your second career.
The report has been updated for 2025. This list reflects our tenth time ranking the best places to retire in Iowa.
Summary: Maybe You’re Not Ready To Retire In Iowa Yet…
So there you have it, the best place to retire in Iowa goes to Carroll.
The best places to retire in Iowa are Carroll, Newton, Fort Madison, Oskaloosa, Clinton, Norwalk, Bettendorf, Spencer, Burlington, and Marion.
If you’re not ready to hang up your office apparel yet, then these places might be up your alley:
- North Liberty
- Altoona
- Coralville
For more Iowa reading, check out:
Best Places To Retire In Iowa
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Prices | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carroll | 10,261 | $59,323 | $184,100 | $718 |
| 2 | Newton | 15,696 | $56,321 | $151,600 | $828 |
| 3 | Fort Madison | 10,221 | $49,359 | $95,900 | $824 |
| 4 | Oskaloosa | 11,492 | $62,172 | $128,900 | $880 |
| 5 | Clinton | 24,425 | $57,493 | $115,400 | $751 |
| 6 | Norwalk | 13,610 | $94,583 | $275,700 | $869 |
| 7 | Bettendorf | 39,297 | $102,917 | $295,600 | $1,148 |
| 8 | Spencer | 11,393 | $57,068 | $178,300 | $795 |
| 9 | Burlington | 23,800 | $55,274 | $115,800 | $931 |
| 10 | Marion | 41,690 | $87,105 | $230,800 | $978 |