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Destination guide

Moving to Iowa

Corn country, low unemployment, surprisingly arts-rich.

MidwestCapital: Des MoinesPop. 3.2M

Iowa has an overall price level 87.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
87.8
Housing index
65.3
Groceries index (modeled)
96.9
Utilities index (modeled)
98.2
Electricity rate
13.4 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
97.6
Median home value
$227,300
Median monthly rent
$769/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Iowa unemployment is 3.3% with median household income $76k.

Unemployment rate
3.3%
Median household income
$75,501
Per-capita income
$40,536
Labor-force participation
66.5%
Right-to-work state
Yes
Nurse Licensure Compact
Member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

Iowa: median home value $227,300.

Home value
$227,300
Rent
$769/mo
Homeownership rate
71.0%
FEMA NRI composite
40/100
Hurricane exposure
Low
Wildfire exposure
Low
Tornado risk
High
Earthquake risk
Low

Iowa 4th-grade math proficiency: 38.9% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
38.9%
Per-pupil spending
$12,695
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
16
Public 4-yr grad rate
73.0%
Notable universities
Public flagship + regional schools

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