11 Best Places To Call Home In Iowa In 2025
Moving to a new town or city always comes with a wave of considerations. From the cost of life and access to social amenities to employment opportunities and level of safety, it can be a daunting task to find a choice that meets all your preferences. Fortunately, Iowa offers a string of inviting countryside towns with friendly locals where newcomers can feel at home right from the jump. Whether you're seeking a quiet, family-friendly community, a vibrant college town, or a peaceful village to spend your sunset years, the Hawkeye State has something for everyone.
With a low cost of living, a strong sense of community, and a slower pace of life, Iowa stands out as a hidden gem in the Midwest. Before moving, here are some of the top places to call home in Iowa in 2025 to consider.
Carroll
This unassuming town along the Middle Raccoon River uniquely balances a thriving downtown business district with a quiet backcountry section teeming with nature. It guarantees presidents plenty of recreational opportunities throughout Swan Lake State Park, from hiking and birding to fishing. Meanwhile, the Carroll County Historical Museum links the community with its past, offering new residents an understanding of local culture and heritage.
Several entertainment venues along Main Street ensure the district is always buzzing with activity. Families are always gathering inside Carroll 5 to watch the latest films at subsidized ticket prices. Carroll is also home to St Anthony Regional Hospital, while its median home listing price is $240,000.
Dyersville
About an hour from Cedar Rapids, Dyersville is steeped in film heritage and remembered as the filming site of the Hollywood classic "Field of Dreams." It is an excellent place to raise a young family, home to kid-centric attractions like the National Farm Toy Museum. This quirky museum exhibits a playful selection of mini trains, models, and replicas. Residents often congregate at the Field of Dreams Movie Site to take it easy with loved ones in a landmark venue.
Citizens find time for recreation at Candy Cane Park, which offers numerous amenities to accommodate the whole community. They also enjoy a strong sense of belonging through constant interactions with one another at the Dyersville Social Center. Finally, the local median home listing price is $228,000.
Denison
Denison is a relaxed riverfront town in Crawford County with an artsy vibe and an active entertainment scene. Several community-based centers allow for a general sense of camaraderie in Denison, including the Donna Reed Theatre. The young and old gather here constantly to watch captivating performances. Outside, Yellow Smoke Park serves as the local recreational hub, where everybody goes to reconnect with nature through hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking.
Meanwhile, the W.A. McHenry House provides a glimpse of the Victorian period inside an 1885 dwelling registered in the NRHP. Denison assures retirees of support in their vulnerable years through welfare programs at the Crawford County Senior Center. Lastly, the town's median home listing price of $239,900.
Creston
Creston's median listing home price is $136,700, which makes it one of the cheapest places to call home in Iowa in 2025. But besides the low living cost, residents have ample opportunities for their outdoor recreation at McKinley Park. This serene natural space harbors a mix of picnic areas, an 18-hole golf course, a band shell, and ball courts. The Creston Arts Center is an integral part of the community, uniting the young and old through art classes, workshops, events, and other programs.
The well-preserved Union County Historical Village & Museum provides a unique glimpse of the past with a complex of 19th-century structures with Victorian furnishings. Patients in Creston receive ready medical aid at Greater Regional Hospital, saving them the trouble of commuting to bigger cities.
Maquoketa
Maquoketa boasts a tranquil rural setting along the Maquoketa River and hosts a bustling art scene and rich historical heritage. Outdoor enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, with a chance to escape to Maquoketa Caves State Park for an exotic underground excursion. There is no shortage of interesting art attractions in the town, inviting the community to support local creatives by watching captivating theatrical presentations at Ohnwards Fine Arts Center or buying their creations at the Old City Hall Gallery.
The Jackson County Historical Society stores all the stories about Maquoketa's past, welcoming newcomers to learn interesting facts about the region's heritage. Meanwhile, the Jackson County Regional Health Center is responsible for providing primary medical care, while the town's median home listing price $187,500.
Audubon
This tiny municipality in Audubon County is famous for housing the World's Largest Bull, but charms potential residents with its lush and pristine surroundings. Residents can step outside to access fresh air whenever necessary on the serene grounds of the Audubon Golf & Country Club. This is also true for the Nathaniel Hamlin Park & Museum, where a 19th-century dwelling presents a window to the period through its preserved artifacts and furnishings.
Downtown Audubon keeps residents busy with a variety of family-centric attractions, with the Rose Theater screening first-run films inside an intimate historic venue. Residents need to seek medical attention too far, thanks to the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. Lastly, the median listing home price in Audubon is $189,500.
Charles City
Charles City is a beautiful riverside community northwest of Davenport with a blend of artsy attractions and historical landmarks punctuating its heritage. A trip to the Floyd County Museum reveals an interesting backstory related to the development of the American tractor. Also, the Charles City Arts Center presents a common venue where local artists can display their creative works for the community to admire and purchase.
The outdoors beckon with an array of remarkable recreations at Charles City Whitewater. This pleasant sanctuary along the Cedar River is a hub for kayaking, rafting, boating, paddling, and more. With the Floyd County Medical Center, reliable medical attention is always within touching distance. Charles City's median home listing price is an affordable $169,900.
Newton
Situated just 30 miles from Des Moines, Newton provides a lovely suburban atmosphere for young professionals seeking employment opportunities in the big city. This is pretty convenient given the town's low cost of living, evidenced by a median home listing price of $220,000. There is enough entertainment for residents in Newton, including the rare chance to watch a NASCAR and IndyCar racing spectacle at the Iowa Speedway.
The Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is the major gathering point for outdoor lovers in Newton. It is a tranquil little space with gentle trails and picnic areas ideal for relaxation. History enthusiasts can find all about the community's past at the Jasper County Historical Museum, while the MercyOne Newton Medical Center assures residents of prompt medical assistance locally.
Jefferson
Jefferson is a tight-knit community in Greene County that embraces newcomers with warmth, making it easy for movers to quickly adapt. This is apparent from the many social centers and venues, including the Sierra Community Theatre. Adults and children meet here to watch family-friendly flicks throughout the year. Furthermore, the Greene County Community Center encourages residents to stay active with sports, fitness training, and other recreational programs in a welcoming atmosphere.
Outdoor lovers can choose between the Thomas Jefferson Gardens of Greene County to breathe some fresh air and the Jefferson Community Golf Course to stretch their joints during a friendly game. Finally, the median home listing price in Jefferson is $204,500.
Williamsburg
Retirees seeking a quiet community in rural Iowa to spend their golden years in will fall in love with this relaxed village in Iowa County. The townspeople have a daily supply of fresh groceries to prepare healthy meals at Williamsburg Foods. Meanwhile, the Shops at Williamsburg presents a modern and exceptional shopping experience, where patrons can sort through everything from home decor items and apparel to fashion accessories.
Stepping outside, residents can find several opportunities for recreational needs, such as playing golf on the 18-hole course of Stone Creek Golf Club. Multiple retirement communities, including Highland Ridge, provide crucial assisted living services for older adults in Williamsburg. Lastly, a standard home in the area has a median listing price of $245,900.
Webster City
Webster City lures potential residents with a compelling combination of affordable living and exquisite natural scenery. The small town has a median home listing price of $195,900, which is way below the national average. Furthermore, its outdoor spaces are punctuated by lush, undisturbed greenery and calm, open spaces, including Briggs Woods Park. The same applies to Wilson Brewer Memorial Park, a cozy 9-acre space donated by one of the region's first settlers.
The Webster City Community Theatre is where residents find time to connect through the arts by catching a captivating schedule of musicals, dramas, and other live shows. Also, racing fans can watch adrenaline-filled races at the Hamilton County Speedway.
Iowa offers a diverse range of communities that cater to different lifestyles and preferences. From vibrant college towns like Iowa City to family-friendly suburbs, the best places to call home in Iowa in 2025 blend affordability, safety, and quality of life. Whether you're seeking a strong job market, excellent schools, or outdoor recreation, Iowa has a place for you. With its welcoming communities and steady growth, it's no surprise that more people are choosing to call Iowa home in the United States.
