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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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.
Housing & rent
Statewide medians and averages.
Whether you're comparing options for a parent or planning ahead for yourself, here's where to start by care level.
Assisted living provides personal care, meals, and daily support for seniors who need help with everyday tasks but not full medical supervision.
Memory care is a specialized type of senior living for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive decline.
Independent living is community housing for active seniors who want amenities, social life, and freedom from home upkeep without daily personal-care services.
Home care brings personal-care services and companionship into the senior's own home rather than moving them into a community.
A skilled nursing facility (SNF, often called a nursing home) provides 24-hour licensed medical care and rehabilitation for seniors with serious health conditions.
Senior apartments are age-restricted rental homes - typically for residents 55+ or 62+ - designed for older adults who live independently.
Browse by city
Hand-picked from our directory
Clive, IA
4.8 · 33 reviews
Cedar Rapids, IA
4.7 · 24 reviews
Cedar Rapids, IA
3.5 · 16 reviews
Urbandale, IA
4.3 · 15 reviews
Cedar Rapids, IA
4.1 · 15 reviews
Council Bluffs, IA
4.8 · 14 reviews
Caregivers who come to you
Alburnett, IA
4.5 · 171 reviews
Carter Lake, IA
4.5 · 160 reviews
West Des Moines, IA
4.6 · 107 reviews
Urbandale, IA
4.8 · 20 reviews
Carson, IA
4.7 · 17 reviews
Ackley, IA
4.8 · 11 reviews
55+ housing without daily care
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Guides for families
Resource library
For two years, a federal program quietly held down the premiums on stand-alone Medicare drug plans. It ends with the 2027 plan year, which is why some Part D premiums could jump more this Open Enrollment than they have recently. Here is what changed, who is affected, and how to protect your drug costs before December 7.
Resource library
In 2027, the full retirement age for Social Security finishes its long climb to 67. People born in 1960 are the first group to reach a full retirement age of exactly 67. Here is what that changes, what it does not, and how the age you claim still moves your check by hundreds of dollars a month.
Resource library
The federal government has stopped mailing most paper checks, and Social Security wants every beneficiary on direct deposit or a Direct Express card by the end of 2026. Fewer than 1 percent of recipients still get a check in the mail. Here is who is affected, how to switch, and the narrow exceptions that let a few people keep paper.
Savings
Costco does not offer senior discounts, but retirees have other ways to save through membership benefits. Compare the annual fee with potential savings on hearing aids, prescriptions, gas, and bulk essentials.
Savings
McDonald's senior discounts vary by location and usually apply to coffee or other beverages. Learn how to check eligibility, request senior pricing, and compare your savings with app offers.
Buying guide
Compare 11 walking shoes for older women, with options for cushioning, stability, wider feet, and easy fastening. This guide covers fit, support, and trade-offs to help you choose a pair for your daily walks.
More beyond care: all savings guides and all buying guides.
