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 7.24% (30-yr fixed), including Iowa property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-09.

  1. Fort Madison — typical home $115K, income to buy about $36,000/yr
  2. Ottumwa — typical home $121K, income to buy about $38,000/yr
  3. Burlington — typical home $126K, income to buy about $40,000/yr
  4. Fort Dodge — typical home $130K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  5. Clinton — typical home $135K, income to buy about $43,000/yr
  6. Waterloo — typical home $146K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
  7. Mason City — typical home $160K, income to buy about $51,000/yr
  8. Storm Lake — typical home $176K, income to buy about $56,000/yr
  9. Marshalltown — typical home $177K, income to buy about $56,000/yr
  10. Oskaloosa — typical home $192K, income to buy about $61,000/yr
  11. Davenport — typical home $194K, income to buy about $61,000/yr
  12. Muscatine — typical home $194K, income to buy about $62,000/yr
  13. Spencer — typical home $199K, income to buy about $63,000/yr
  14. Sioux City — typical home $201K, income to buy about $64,000/yr
  15. Newton — typical home $203K, income to buy about $64,000/yr
  16. Des Moines — typical home $208K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  17. Carroll — typical home $210K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  18. Boone — typical home $212K, income to buy about $67,000/yr
  19. Cedar Rapids — typical home $216K, income to buy about $68,000/yr
  20. Council Bluffs — typical home $228K, income to buy about $72,000/yr
  21. Dubuque — typical home $248K, income to buy about $78,000/yr
  22. Coralville — typical home $261K, income to buy about $82,000/yr
  23. Cedar Falls — typical home $266K, income to buy about $84,000/yr
  24. Marion — typical home $280K, income to buy about $89,000/yr
  25. Waverly — typical home $280K, income to buy about $89,000/yr

At the other end, Iowa's priciest markets: Clive ($136,000/yr), Johnston ($127,000/yr), Pella ($114,000/yr), Urbandale ($111,000/yr), Grimes ($111,000/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.