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 7.03% (30-yr fixed), including Iowa property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-08.

  1. Fort Madison — typical home $114K, income to buy about $36,000/yr
  2. Ottumwa — typical home $126K, income to buy about $39,000/yr
  3. Burlington — typical home $129K, income to buy about $40,000/yr
  4. Fort Dodge — typical home $132K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  5. Clinton — typical home $136K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
  6. Waterloo — typical home $148K, income to buy about $46,000/yr
  7. Mason City — typical home $161K, income to buy about $50,000/yr
  8. Storm Lake — typical home $178K, income to buy about $56,000/yr
  9. Marshalltown — typical home $180K, income to buy about $56,000/yr
  10. Oskaloosa — typical home $195K, income to buy about $61,000/yr
  11. Muscatine — typical home $195K, income to buy about $61,000/yr
  12. Davenport — typical home $196K, income to buy about $61,000/yr
  13. Spencer — typical home $200K, income to buy about $62,000/yr
  14. Sioux City — typical home $202K, income to buy about $63,000/yr
  15. Newton — typical home $206K, income to buy about $64,000/yr
  16. Carroll — typical home $211K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  17. Des Moines — typical home $211K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  18. Cedar Rapids — typical home $212K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  19. Boone — typical home $213K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  20. Council Bluffs — typical home $230K, income to buy about $72,000/yr
  21. Dubuque — typical home $250K, income to buy about $78,000/yr
  22. Coralville — typical home $262K, income to buy about $82,000/yr
  23. Cedar Falls — typical home $269K, income to buy about $84,000/yr
  24. Waverly — typical home $280K, income to buy about $87,000/yr
  25. Marion — typical home $280K, income to buy about $87,000/yr

At the other end, Iowa's priciest markets: Clive ($134,000/yr), Johnston ($125,000/yr), Pella ($112,000/yr), Urbandale ($110,000/yr), Grimes ($109,000/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.