8 Best Towns In Iowa To Retire Comfortably
The state of Iowa is, according to many Americans, the quintessential American Midwest. Also known as the Hawkeye State, Iowa joined the Union in 1846. The state offers picturesque farmland, prairie horizons, and laid-back lifestyles. Beyond its capital, Des Moines, Iowa's smaller towns offer a slice of the good life, especially for those looking for an affordable retirement. Good hospitals, senior care centers, and outdoor activities make Iowa ideal for the current or future retiree. And with a heavy dose of local culture, the Hawkeye State is perfect for a relocation later in life. These smaller towns with median home prices below the state median show how pleasant an Iowa retirement could be.
Britt
In north-central Iowa, the small, culture-rich town of Britt is known for an unusual distinction: it hosts the National Hobo Convention, which has been running for 125 years and is a gathering for those who live an itinerant, often impoverished lifestyle. Aside from the convention each summer, Britt's Hobo Museum stands as a permanent testament and source of information to the wandering life.
Other museums in town celebrate diverse lifestyles, making Britt a stimulating place to retire, host family and friends, and explore on one's own. The Hancock County Agricultural Museum has 180 exhibits over two floors, detailing the farming that is central to Britt's past and present. The Armstrong House, a historic, very pink mansion, attracts visitors at all times of year. And for those whose wandering days are over, Britt's median home price, at $161,000, comes in well below the state median of $233,000. Britt has multiple medical care facilities, including Hancock County Memorial Hospital.
Clarinda
This town celebrates its most famous native son yearly: the trombonist and bandleader Glenn Miller. Once a worldwide celebrity, Miller entertained millions with his big-band style of jazz music. The Glenn Miller Festival, marking its 50th edition in June, honored the man's enduring legacy in popular music. Also in town, the Glenn Miller Birthplace Home Museum celebrates his impact at all times of year. Clarinda's median home price is a modest $125,000.
Clarinda's support for seniors is extensive. Eiler Senior Living offers a range of assisted housing plans. The town also has strong medical facilities, including an emergency room and the Clarinda Mental Health Center for psychological and other non-physical care.
Eldora
In the middle of the state's agriculture-focused green belt, north-central Eldora brings cultural and natural entertainment together. The refurbished Grand Theatre, built in 1913, shows current films. Outdoors fans can take in majestic views from the town's setting over the Iowa River. Likewise, the river allows for fun with grandkids through activities like swimming, tubing, canoeing, and cycling trails. Eldora's median home price is a mere $104,000.
Local and state history fans have much to ponder at the Hardin County Historical Society and the Eldora Welcome Center & Railroad Museum. Both sites recall Eldora's onetime status as a railroad hub. Eldora Specialty Care, a nursing home, offers comfort and supervision for seniors who require one or both.
Elkader
The small, northeastern Iowa town of Elkader is a petite place with broad, culture-focused appeal. Settled in 1846, its name comes from the Emir Abdelkader, a mid-19th-century figure in the Algerian fight against French colonial rule. This Iowa town, set along the Turkey River, forms part of Iowa's "Little Switzerland" region, named after its early immigrant communities and the culture they brought with them. Elkader's downtown has local history museums, an opera house, and numerous stately homes. Modern home prices here have a median of $158,000.
Outdoor lovers should visit Eklader's two parks, Mascara Park and Keystone Park. The town has two senior living facilities, including the RISE Group Home, which is listed as affordable for modest- and low-income residents, according to the website SeniorHousingNet.com.
Fairfield
In southeast Iowa, the town of Fairfield has received accolades for its culture and quality of life. The Carnegie Museum, previously a library, pays tribute to the region's Native American past. Nearby, the Bonnifield Cabin illustrates the hardscrabble living of pioneers who came here during Iowa's days as a territory. Modern homes in Fairfield have a median price of $158,000.
For some live entertainment, the town's Sondheim Center for Performing Arts, open since 2007, puts on performances of all sorts and is part of the larger Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. A number of art galleries add color to Fairfield's downtown area. The town also has five senior facilities, including Addington Place of Fairfield, which offers a full suite of care services and options.
Fort Dodge
In northwestern Fort Dodge, natural attractions come first. The Matt Cosgrove River's Edge Discovery Center provides a unique learning experience on Iowa's river-based ecosystems. Opened recently along the Des Moines River, the center gives students of all ages a deeper education about Iowa's key environments. The center's expansion will continue through 2026, including walking trails, a playground, and fishing jetties.
For human creativity in town, head to the Blanden Memorial Art Museum. The site is free to enter, and a great place to bring grandkids. Family meals are fun at the Sports Page Bar & Grill in north Fort Dodge. Median home prices are $130,000, and a few senior-care options offer solutions for all budgets.
Mason City
In north-central Iowa, Mason City invites adventure junkies to the great outdoors. Prairie Rock Trails Bike Park, a mountain-biking hub that opened last year, draws thrill-seekers of all kinds. The town also plans to open the High Line Trail, another biking option. Those developments are expanding on the park's previous 20 miles of trails, plus a riverwalk, making it an ideal stop for family and friends to visit seniors here.
Zillow says Mason City's median home price is $155,000. According to SeniorHousingNet, the town has no fewer than nine senior care sites, most of which are affordable for low-income individuals. For active retirees, Mason City is a golf paradise, with numerous courses and shops to support the local habit. Grandparents can teach tips and tricks to the next generation at River City Mini Golf, in the heart of downtown.
Pocahontas
Senior history fans take notice: With the name of the Native American figure from Virginia history, the small town of Pocahontas honors its namesake with a 25-foot-tall statue, plus a teepee. Visitors and transplants to this rural northwestern Iowa town can peruse local legacies and artifacts at the Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum. The Rialto Theatre, erected in 1939, puts on movies and other special events that retirees and visiting family can enjoy. For a moment outdoors, go to Elbert Park in north Pocahontas, which is found on picturesque Lizard Creek.
The median home price in Pocahontas is a modest $124,000. A trio of senior care facilities is located downtown or just outside the city.
Iowa's Retirement Towns Are Top-Notch
As these towns suggest, Iowa's smaller towns offer the retiree a mix of culture, nature, healthcare support, and a slowed-down pace of life. Places like Britt and Clarinda are ideal for welcoming friends and family, who may have never seen the curious culture of the hobo, the region's rich agricultural history, or the enduring legacy of music giants like Glenn Miller. Elkader's place in "Little Switzerland," or Fairfield's blend of history and the performing arts, makes it ideal to treat oneself to one or multiple visits after a relocation. And the parks and natural attractions, from Fort Dodge and Mason City to Pocahontas, make these Iowa locations a lovely place to live full-time. With so much to offer the current or future seniors, Iowa's smaller towns deserve serious consideration as retirement destinations.
