Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers in Iowa (2026 Rankings)

Buying your first home is a big step. We ranked 25 neighborhoods in Iowa by affordability index to help first-time buyers find areas where homeownership is within reach. Scores above 100 mean housing is more affordable than average.

Sioux CityIA

Kurby Score: 60

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $149,800

Median Income: $64,250

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

DavenportIA

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $155,100

Median Income: $59,890

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

AmesIA

Kurby Score: 56

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $247,500

Median Income: $57,428

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

OskaloosaIA

Kurby Score: 64

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $123,800

Median Income: $57,949

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

Pleasant HillIA

Kurby Score: 64

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $263,600

Median Income: $81,992

Property Tax: $1,569/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

MarionIA

Kurby Score: 67

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $208,200

Median Income: $81,519

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

BettendorfIA

Kurby Score: 67

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $273,600

Median Income: $100,570

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

Storm LakeIA

Kurby Score: 66

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $148,900

Median Income: $54,615

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

PellaIA

Kurby Score: 68

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $240,100

Median Income: $86,025

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

WaverlyIA

Kurby Score: 66

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $211,000

Median Income: $78,278

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

CarrollIA

Kurby Score: 66

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $172,000

Median Income: $60,368

Homeownership: 79.0%

West Des MoinesIA

Kurby Score: 62

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $266,700

Median Income: $82,345

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

WaterlooIA

Kurby Score: 59

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $142,000

Median Income: $54,104

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

KeokukIA

Kurby Score: 63

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $89,100

Median Income: $47,571

Homeownership: 79.0%

MarshalltownIA

Kurby Score: 59

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $109,800

Median Income: $65,000

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

CoralvilleIA

Kurby Score: 61

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $271,800

Median Income: $67,691

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

Mason CityIA

Kurby Score: 60

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $125,500

Median Income: $60,786

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

ClintonIA

Kurby Score: 59

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $112,700

Median Income: $55,196

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

Fort MadisonIA

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $94,200

Median Income: $48,944

Homeownership: 79.0%

DubuqueIA

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $178,000

Median Income: $63,520

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

GrinnellIA

Kurby Score: 66

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $177,600

Median Income: $57,813

Homeownership: 79.0%

Council BluffsIA

Kurby Score: 60

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $153,400

Median Income: $61,181

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

Le MarsIA

Kurby Score: 67

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $186,300

Median Income: $73,734

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

Mount PleasantIA

Kurby Score: 65

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $142,600

Median Income: $58,895

Homeownership: 79.0%

WaukeeIA

Kurby Score: 62

Affordability Index: 212

Home Value: $305,300

Median Income: $106,846

Property Tax: $1,663/yr

Homeownership: 79.0%

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