Senior living in Iowa
If you are eyeing a state to retire to, then the Hawkeye State is one to consider. Iowa is home to many attractions, including being the first place where sliced bread was invented. And for a senior, it could be the best thing since sliced bread. In addition, Iowa can be a great place to retire if you love farmland. It's known for its crops, including corn. Also, Iowa does have a low cost of living, making it a great state to move to for a retiree. Read below to learn why many are moving to Iowa and why you should.
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Cost of living in Iowa
Iowa has a cost of living that is about 10% lower than the national average. The price is lower than the average in every category, with groceries and transportation nearing the norm but remaining below. Iowa excels in its housing costs, which are almost 24 points below the national average, with a median home cost that is about half as much. If you're looking to buy a home in Iowa, it can be easy to find one without spending too much. So look to Iowa for your next adventure, as it will not disappoint you at all.
Cost-of-living indices
100 = US average. Higher means more expensive.
- Overall
- 90.1
- Grocery
- 98.3
- Housing
- 76.5
- Utilities
- 94.1
- Transportation
- 98.6
- Misc.
- 93.7
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
- Median home
- $147,800
- Average rent
- $789
- Studio
- $622
- 1 bedroom
- $647
- 2 bedroom
- $851
- 3 bedroom
- $1,021
Care levels in Iowa
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
- AL
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
- MC
Memory Care
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
- IL
Independent Living
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
- HC
Home Care
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
- SNF
Nursing Homes
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
- SA
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
Browse by city
Popular cities in Iowa
- Ackley, IA118 communities
- Cedar Rapids, IA39 communities
- Council Bluffs, IA35 communities
- Des Moines, IA27 communities
- Cedar Falls, IA24 communities
- Dubuque, IA20 communities
- Sioux City, IA18 communities
- Iowa City, IA15 communities
- Ankeny, IA13 communities
- Clinton, IA12 communities
- West Des Moines, IA12 communities
- Ames, IA10 communities
Hand-picked from our directory
Top assisted living in Iowa
Woodlands Creek Retirement Community
Clive, IA
4.8 · 33 reviews
The Keystone Of Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, IA
4.7 · 24 reviews
Corridor Crossing Place
Cedar Rapids, IA
3.5 · 16 reviews
Bickford Of Urbandale
Urbandale, IA
4.3 · 15 reviews
The Villages At Marion
Cedar Rapids, IA
4.1 · 15 reviews
Richmont Village
Council Bluffs, IA
4.8 · 14 reviews
Caregivers who come to you
Top home care in Iowa
Right At Home Cedar Rapids
Alburnett, IA
4.5 · 171 reviews
A Place At Home, Llc
Carter Lake, IA
4.5 · 160 reviews
Right At Home Des Moines
West Des Moines, IA
4.6 · 107 reviews
Home Instead Senior Care - Des Moines, Ia
Urbandale, IA
4.8 · 20 reviews
Home Instead Senior Care - Bellevue, Ne
Carson, IA
4.7 · 17 reviews
Home Instead Senior Care - Waterloo, Ia
Ackley, IA
4.8 · 11 reviews
55+ housing without daily care
Best senior apartments in Iowa
Local pricing
Assisted living monthly cost by city in Iowa
Median monthly cost of assisted living, sourced from public data. Actual community pricing varies by apartment size, level of care, and amenities.
Common questions about senior living in Iowa
- What types of senior care are available in Iowa?
- Iowa has communities offering assisted living, memory care, independent living, home care, and skilled nursing. Larger metros have more depth of options across all care levels; smaller markets may have fewer choices in any single category.
- How much does assisted living cost in Iowa?
- Assisted living costs in Iowa vary widely by metro, apartment size, and the resident's level of care. The national median is roughly $5,000 per month; major metros tend to run higher and rural areas lower. Each community sets its own pricing - request a written cost breakdown when you tour.
- Does Iowa Medicaid pay for assisted living?
- Medicaid does not pay for room-and-board in assisted living, but Iowa's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver may cover some assisted-living services for eligible residents. Coverage and eligibility vary - check directly with your state's Medicaid agency or an elder-law attorney.
- How do I evaluate a nursing home in Iowa?
- Start with the CMS 5-star rating on Medicare.gov for any Medicare-certified facility, then look at the underlying staffing data and the most recent state inspection report. Tour the facility, watch staff interact with residents, and ask about staffing levels during evenings and overnight.
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