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 6.76% (30-yr fixed), including Iowa property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-07.

  1. Fort Madison — typical home $113K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
  2. Ottumwa — typical home $126K, income to buy about $39,000/yr
  3. Burlington — typical home $127K, income to buy about $39,000/yr
  4. Fort Dodge — typical home $133K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  5. Clinton — typical home $136K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
  6. Waterloo — typical home $149K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
  7. Mason City — typical home $161K, income to buy about $49,000/yr
  8. Storm Lake — typical home $179K, income to buy about $55,000/yr
  9. Marshalltown — typical home $180K, income to buy about $55,000/yr
  10. Oskaloosa — typical home $195K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  11. Davenport — typical home $196K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  12. Muscatine — typical home $197K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  13. Spencer — typical home $200K, income to buy about $61,000/yr
  14. Sioux City — typical home $204K, income to buy about $62,000/yr
  15. Newton — typical home $207K, income to buy about $63,000/yr
  16. Des Moines — typical home $212K, 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 $66,000/yr
  19. Boone — typical home $216K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  20. Council Bluffs — typical home $232K, income to buy about $71,000/yr
  21. Dubuque — typical home $252K, income to buy about $77,000/yr
  22. Coralville — typical home $264K, income to buy about $81,000/yr
  23. Cedar Falls — typical home $271K, income to buy about $83,000/yr
  24. Marion — typical home $281K, income to buy about $86,000/yr
  25. Waverly — typical home $284K, income to buy about $87,000/yr

At the other end, Iowa's priciest markets: Clive ($132,000/yr), Johnston ($123,000/yr), Pella ($111,000/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.