10 Cost-Effective Retirement Towns In Iowa
Iowa is an excellent destination to retire. This is especially true for those whose top priority is cost-effectiveness. With an average home value of $227,000, it is one of the least expensive places to acquire homes in the US. This comes against the backdrop of no tax on retirement income and an overall living cost significantly below that of the majority of states in the country.
That said, Iowa’s affordability is best felt in its small towns, such as those listed below, where retirees will also get to explore another cool thing about the state, which is its natural allure. Beyond its rich agricultural heritage, Iowa is the only state in the country bordered by two rivers, the Missouri on its western border and the Mississippi on its eastern border. It is also endowed with caves, lakes, and wetlands, while its vast forests are teeming with wildlife. These towns offer easy access to all of those natural features, while promising a retirement that won’t break the bank.
Burlington
Burlington’s average home value stands at approximately $123,000, surpassing many towns in the state in terms of home affordability, and that’s not all. This town has a prime location on the Mississippi River, where it flaunts a long list of unique attractions. For starters, the town is home to Snake Alley, one of the world’s crookedest streets, and a cool place to stroll or drive through for scenic views of the area. Next, Burlington is home to Crapo Park, which sits right on the river and boasts an arboretum and botanical gardens, making it a great place to relax and immerse oneself in nature.
Mosquito Park, one of the town’s oldest, is another cool spot for relaxation with scenic views of the river, plus it is a great place to catch events, particularly in the summer. Beyond Burlington's parks and peaceful green spaces, FunCity Resort is a vibrant entertainment complex featuring everything from a top-notch casino to a spa, a water park, a bowling alley, and a variety of accommodations. In the meantime, golf enthusiasts will love the Spirit Hollow Golf Course, one of the best in Iowa, featuring impressive natural scenery, food, and lodging.
Charles City
This town on the Cedar River is a cost-effective place to retire, featuring an average home value far below the state average at $135,000. This is despite the town’s exciting attractions, including Charles City Whitewater Park, which is an amazing place to paddle, stroll, or enjoy a picnic with a view. For art enthusiasts, the town’s Mooney Art Collection exhibits a variety of works by artists such as Dalí and Picasso, plus it is located in the Charles City Public Library, making it free and accessible to all.
Retirees in Charles City do not have to travel far for premium entertainment, as the historic Charles Theatre is right in town and features premium movies and live events year-round. Additionally, the town boasts a considerable number of food establishments, including the highly-rated Pub on the Cedar, which offers happy hour pricing on classic comfort food and cold beverages with indoor or outdoor seating.
Newton
Newton offers a rare mix of affordability, convenience, and recreation, making it a top contender for Iowa’s very best retirement destination. A truly cost-effective town, its average home value stands at $196,500, despite being just 34 miles from Des Moines, Iowa’s state capital and commercial center. From this town, retirees will be around 40 minutes from Blank Park Zoo, home to over 1,500 animals from more than 100 species, and Principal Park, which hosts exciting baseball games and other events year-round.
But beyond the appeal of the nearby city, Newton has a whole lot to offer, including thrilling racing events at the Iowa Speedway and a year-round lineup of shows and blockbuster movies, alongside food and drinks at the Capitol II Theatre. Golf lovers also have the 18-hole Westwood Golf Course to enjoy, with incredible scenery, a driving range, and two practice greens, plus the Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a great place to stroll and unwind amidst beautiful plants and flowers.
Fairfield
Fairfield’s cost-effectiveness is matched by its convenience. In this town, golfers have two courses to choose from, with the 9-hole Walton Club and the Fairfield Golf & Country Club to stay entertained, the latter of which also features a full-service clubhouse with a pool. Meanwhile, adventurers have the Fairfield Loop Trail to hike or bike through the area’s beautiful natural endowments. The trail is 16 miles long and winds through wetlands, woodlands, prairie, and lakes, while linking to the town’s best parks, including Jefferson County Park, which has an equipped campground, a playground, and picnic shelters.
The Fairfield Loop Trail also links to the Waterworks Park, where a charming lake sets the stage for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Additionally, the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center is a popular place to catch shows and live performances year-round, plus it features an art gallery. Despite all of these incredible amenities and attractions, Fairfield’s average home value is only $156,000, making it an excellent option for those on a limited budget or fixed income.
Oskaloosa
Located just an hour from Des Moines, Oskaloosa is a historic town founded by Quakers in the 1840s and famous for its coal mining history. Today, it is a peaceful place and ideal for a retirement that won’t break the bank. The town’s average home value is significantly lower than the state’s, at $182,000. Moreover, Oskaloosa is full of attractions that will delight retirees. Edmundson Park is just one of those attractions, featuring picnic facilities, biking and hiking trails, a fishing pond, a playground, a ball field, and a disc golf course set across 60 acres of landscaped and serene parkland.
Speaking of golf courses, the town has several, with the 18-hole Oskaloosa Public Golf course being one of the best, with its beautiful tree-lined fairways, water features, and greens. Retirees here also have the George Daily Auditorium, where they can enjoy exciting events all year, while Lake Keomah State Park is nearby, with a myriad of adventures to offer. This park has an 84-acre lake ideal for fishing and boating, plus it has a modern campground, trails winding around the lake, and wooded areas full of birds and other wildlife.
Muscatine
Muscatine is an adorable town with many draws for retirement. Besides its beautiful river charms, courtesy of its location on the Mississippi, this town is relatively affordable, with an average home value of approximately $181,500. On top of that, it is only around 30 miles from Davenport and 35 miles from Iowa City, among the state’s largest. This places some exciting attractions within easy reach, including Iowa City’s Kinnick Stadium, a bustling venue featuring regular Hawkeyes football games, alongside concerts and other special events.
Back in Muscatine, retirees have so much to enjoy, starting with Discovery Park, home to over three miles of trails, two fishing ponds, picnic facilities, and the 13-acre Muscatine Arboretum, which contains an impressive diversity of plants. The 100-acre park also hosts the Environmental Learning Center, which has an aquarium with native fish and live reptiles. Riverside Park will further delight retirees with picnic and sports facilities, hiking and biking trails, and scenic views of the Mississippi River. Those who seek more thrilling adventures can always head to Wildcat Den State Park to camp or hike through a lush forest and sandstone formations that offer a glimpse into Iowa’s geological history.
Clinton
At first glance, Clinton’s average home value of $126,000 may seem simply affordable, but a closer look at the town’s attractions and facilities reveals why it is one of the state’s most cost-effective retirement destinations. For starters, it is home to the 14-acre Bickelhaupt Arboretum, which contains hundreds of plants and a winding path for relaxing strolls. It also has the Clinton 8 Theatre, a highly-rated cinema featuring premium movie entertainment year-round.
For wine lovers, the Wide River Winery sits at a unique location with breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and offers tastings, small bites, and seasonal community events. More spectacular views of the river can be enjoyed at Eagle Point Park Lodge, which also features sports and picnic facilities, playground equipment, and the best event center in the area. Furthermore, Clinton is near the Rock Creek Marina & Campground, which sits at the junction of the Mississippi and Wapsipinicon Rivers, providing endless opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, and hiking.
Grinnell
Grinnell is more than just a charming college town; it is also a great place to retire in Iowa on a budget, with an average home value of $205,000. Beyond affordable housing, Grinnell's proximity to Iowa’s capital is another attractive feature for retirement. This town is just about 50 miles from Des Moines, where one can explore one of America’s finest capitol buildings and an extensive collection of artworks at the Des Moines Art Center. Speaking of the arts, the Grinnell College Museum of Art has thousands of photographs, drawings, sculptures, paintings, and other works to delight every taste.
In the meantime, Grinnell’s Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve has a lake for fishing and boating, and trails winding through woodlands, prairies, and other habitats. For even more adventures, nearby Rock Creek State Park can be reached via the five-mile Rock Creek Recreation Bike Trail. Facilities include a campground with nearly 200 campsites, over a dozen trails, and a lake for boating and fishing.
Maquoketa
Maquoketa sits on its namesake river, where it promises a retirement full of recreation. At $193,000, the town’s home value is significantly below the state average, making it relatively easy to be a homeowner while retiring here. Notably, this town is a great place from which to explore some of Iowa’s cool natural features, particularly Maquoketa Caves State Park. This unique destination is home to a series of 13 caves, the most of any park in the state, alongside a balancing rock and a natural bridge. The formations can be accessed via a six-mile trail system, plus the park has a popular campground, picnic shelters, and an interpretive center with detailed information about the area’s geological history. Besides its natural endowments, Maquoketa has several other attractions to keep retirees excited, including Codfish Hollow Barnstormers, which features frequent live music, alongside art and food. There’s also the Voy 3 Theatres in town for those who love to watch blockbusters in a casual, comfortable environment.
Eldora
Eldora is in a class of its own when it comes to affordability, as this small town boasts one of the lowest median home values in the US at $97,000. Located on the Iowa River, the town further appeals with its natural allure and laid-back atmosphere, plus it has a few attractions to offer, one of which is Pine Lake State Park. Located just outside town, this park is a paradise for recreation, with fishing lakes, a swimming beach, picnic areas, and over 10 miles of trails winding around the lakes and through lush forests. Additionally, the park has luxury cabins and a developed campground. Back in Eldora, premium movie entertainment can be enjoyed year-round at the historic Grand Theatre, while the Pine Lake Country Club has a beautiful 9-hole course to delight golfers. Rock-n-Row Adventures is also a popular option in town for a leisurely float on the Iowa River. They also feature a well-equipped campground, food options, summer events, and picnic facilities.
In this context, cost-effectiveness is not just about affordability, but proximity to important facilities and attractions, a factor that greatly reduces the need for frequent and sometimes expensive out-of-town travelling. In these towns in Iowa, homes are affordable, the daily cost of living is low, and attractions are abundant. From Maquoketa to Clinton, these Iowa towns deserve a closer look for a pocket-friendly and pleasant retirement.
