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 2026. This report is our eleventh 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 2026
Where is the best place to retire in Iowa for 2026? 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 2026
/10
Population: 10,208
Median Income: $69,706
Median Home Price: $200,080
Median Rent: $722
Distance to Closest Airport: 72 miles
More on Carroll: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 15,700
Median Income: $57,771
Median Home Price: $200,884
Median Rent: $819
Distance to Closest Airport: 34 miles
More on Newton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 11,504
Median Income: $64,004
Median Home Price: $186,482
Median Rent: $831
Distance to Closest Airport: 55 miles
More on Oskaloosa: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 14,183
Median Income: $102,722
Median Home Price: $332,836
Median Rent: $838
Distance to Closest Airport: 3 miles
More on Norwalk: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 24,322
Median Income: $60,230
Median Home Price: $127,331
Median Rent: $791
Distance to Closest Airport: 30 miles
More on Clinton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 10,133
Median Income: $50,705
Median Home Price: $109,639
Median Rent: $826
Distance to Closest Airport: 72 miles
More on Fort Madison: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 39,647
Median Income: $100,495
Median Home Price: $328,095
Median Rent: $1,187
Distance to Closest Airport: 8 miles
More on Bettendorf: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 11,400
Median Income: $59,667
Median Home Price: $193,030
Median Rent: $805
Distance to Closest Airport: 134 miles
More on Spencer: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 23,728
Median Income: $59,000
Median Home Price: $123,914
Median Rent: $924
Distance to Closest Airport: 54 miles
More on Burlington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 41,896
Median Income: $86,743
Median Home Price: $271,355
Median Rent: $961
Distance to Closest Airport: 69 miles
More on Marion: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In the Hawkeye State for 2026
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 2026. This list reflects our eleventh 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, Oskaloosa, Norwalk, Clinton, Fort Madison, 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
- Coralville
- Council Bluffs
For more Iowa reading, check out:
Best Places To Retire In Iowa
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Prices | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $200,080 | $722 |
| 2 | Newton | 15,700 | $57,771 | $200,884 | $819 |
| 3 | Oskaloosa | 11,504 | $64,004 | $186,482 | $831 |
| 4 | Norwalk | 14,183 | $102,722 | $332,836 | $838 |
| 5 | Clinton | 24,322 | $60,230 | $127,331 | $791 |
| 6 | Fort Madison | 10,133 | $50,705 | $109,639 | $826 |
| 7 | Bettendorf | 39,647 | $100,495 | $328,095 | $1,187 |
| 8 | Spencer | 11,400 | $59,667 | $193,030 | $805 |
| 9 | Burlington | 23,728 | $59,000 | $123,914 | $924 |
| 10 | Marion | 41,896 | $86,743 | $271,355 | $961 |