The most affordable cities to buy a house in Iowa (2026)

Every Iowa city over 10,000 residents, ranked by the gross household income it takes to buy the typical home: 20% down at 6.66% (30-yr fixed), including Iowa property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-06.

  1. Fort Madison — typical home $116K, income to buy about $35,000/yr
  2. Ottumwa — typical home $127K, income to buy about $38,000/yr
  3. Burlington — typical home $129K, income to buy about $39,000/yr
  4. Fort Dodge — typical home $133K, income to buy about $40,000/yr
  5. Clinton — typical home $136K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  6. Waterloo — typical home $149K, income to buy about $45,000/yr
  7. Mason City — typical home $162K, income to buy about $49,000/yr
  8. Marshalltown — typical home $180K, income to buy about $55,000/yr
  9. Storm Lake — typical home $181K, income to buy about $55,000/yr
  10. Muscatine — typical home $195K, income to buy about $59,000/yr
  11. Oskaloosa — typical home $196K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  12. Davenport — typical home $197K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  13. Sioux City — typical home $203K, income to buy about $61,000/yr
  14. Spencer — typical home $203K, income to buy about $62,000/yr
  15. Newton — typical home $209K, income to buy about $63,000/yr
  16. Des Moines — typical home $213K, income to buy about $65,000/yr
  17. Carroll — typical home $213K, income to buy about $65,000/yr
  18. Cedar Rapids — typical home $215K, income to buy about $65,000/yr
  19. Boone — typical home $217K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  20. Council Bluffs — typical home $231K, income to buy about $70,000/yr
  21. Dubuque — typical home $254K, income to buy about $77,000/yr
  22. Coralville — typical home $263K, income to buy about $80,000/yr
  23. Cedar Falls — typical home $272K, income to buy about $82,000/yr
  24. Marion — typical home $282K, income to buy about $85,000/yr
  25. Waverly — typical home $283K, income to buy about $86,000/yr

At the other end, Iowa's priciest markets: Clive ($132,000/yr), Johnston ($122,000/yr), Pella ($110,000/yr), Urbandale ($108,000/yr), Grimes ($107,000/yr).

"Income to buy" holds the typical home's payment inside the 28% lender guideline. Your own verdict depends on savings and debts — open any city and run your numbers, or see the whole country on the affordability map.

i wanna buy a house .com — type a city, see its market, find out what you can afford.