The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Iowa

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 408 towns of 500–10,000 people in Iowa, scoring every town on all of these at once. #1 is Whiting, IA.

1. 25Garnavillo, Iowa

   Retirement: 95th percentile · Quiet: 66th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 91st percentile

   Garnavillo is a city of 763 people in Clayton County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $123,100 against household income of $75,357; January lows average 10°F.

   763 people · Clayton County · median home $123,100 · income $75,357 · Jan low 10°F · 34 in snow

   Full Garnavillo, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Walnut, Iowa

   Retirement: 96th percentile · Quiet: 80th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 76th percentile

   Walnut is a city of 747 people in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $115,900 against household income of $62,500; January lows average 10°F.

   747 people · Pottawattamie County · median home $115,900 · income $62,500 · Jan low 10°F · 29 in snow

   Full Walnut, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Sioux Rapids, Iowa

   Retirement: 82nd percentile · Quiet: 78th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 93rd percentile

   Sioux Rapids is a city of 748 people in Buena Vista County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $88,700 against household income of $60,000; January lows average 8°F.

   748 people · Buena Vista County · median home $88,700 · income $60,000 · Jan low 8°F · 35 in snow

   Full Sioux Rapids, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Kanawha, Iowa

   Retirement: 77th percentile · Quiet: 80th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 99th percentile

   Kanawha is a city of 658 people in Hancock County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $77,600 against household income of $68,250; January lows average 6°F.

   658 people · Hancock County · median home $77,600 · income $68,250 · Jan low 6°F · 35 in snow

   Full Kanawha, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Hubbard, Iowa

   Retirement: 69th percentile · Quiet: 95th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 93rd percentile

   Hubbard is a city of 860 people in Hardin County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $106,100 against household income of $68,750; January lows average 8°F.

   860 people · Hardin County · median home $106,100 · income $68,750 · Jan low 8°F · 39 in snow

   Full Hubbard, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Dows, Iowa

   Retirement: 89th percentile · Quiet: 68th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 100th percentile

   Dows is a city of 521 people in Wright County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $59,800 against household income of $78,000; January lows average 6°F.

   521 people · Wright County · median home $59,800 · income $78,000 · Jan low 6°F · 30 in snow

   Full Dows, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Essex, Iowa

   Retirement: 66th percentile · Quiet: 99th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 93rd percentile

   Essex is a city of 722 people in Page County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $89,900 against household income of $58,095; January lows average 14°F.

   722 people · Page County · median home $89,900 · income $58,095 · Jan low 14°F · 26 in snow

   Full Essex, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Clermont, Iowa

   Retirement: 69th percentile · Quiet: 95th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 95th percentile

   Clermont is a city of 586 people in Fayette County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $117,200 against household income of $85,625; January lows average 7°F.

   586 people · Fayette County · median home $117,200 · income $85,625 · Jan low 7°F · 40 in snow

   Full Clermont, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Melcher-Dallas, Iowa

   Retirement: 78th percentile · Quiet: 95th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 88th percentile

   Melcher-Dallas is a city of 1,195 people in Marion County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $99,800 against household income of $58,611; January lows average 13°F.

   1,195 people · Marion County · median home $99,800 · income $58,611 · Jan low 13°F · 26 in snow

   Full Melcher-Dallas, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Laurens, Iowa

    Retirement: 70th percentile · Quiet: 94th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 98th percentile

    Laurens is a city of 1,264 people in Pocahontas County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $60,300 against household income of $48,988; January lows average 8°F.

    1,264 people · Pocahontas County · median home $60,300 · income $48,988 · Jan low 8°F · 37 in snow

    Full Laurens, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Armstrong, Iowa

    Retirement: 76th percentile · Quiet: 96th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 91st percentile

    Armstrong is a city of 875 people in Emmet County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $90,500 against household income of $58,250; January lows average 5°F.

    875 people · Emmet County · median home $90,500 · income $58,250 · Jan low 5°F · 39 in snow

    Full Armstrong, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Radcliffe, Iowa

    Retirement: 78th percentile · Quiet: 98th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 88th percentile

    Radcliffe is a city of 555 people in Hardin County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $118,300 against household income of $69,286; January lows average 8°F.

    555 people · Hardin County · median home $118,300 · income $69,286 · Jan low 8°F · 39 in snow

    Full Radcliffe, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Alden, Iowa

    Retirement: 78th percentile · Quiet: 98th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 88th percentile

    Alden is a city of 763 people in Hardin County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $107,900 against household income of $64,500; January lows average 8°F.

    763 people · Hardin County · median home $107,900 · income $64,500 · Jan low 8°F · 30 in snow

    Full Alden, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Clarion, Iowa

    Retirement: 98th percentile · Quiet: 85th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 83rd percentile

    Clarion is a city of 2,810 people in Wright County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $116,200 against household income of $64,625; January lows average 6°F.

    2,810 people · Wright County · median home $116,200 · income $64,625 · Jan low 6°F · 31 in snow

    Full Clarion, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Tripoli, Iowa

    Retirement: 80th percentile · Quiet: 93rd percentile · Home value ÷ income: 93rd percentile

    Tripoli is a city of 1,191 people in Bremer County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $120,500 against household income of $78,324; January lows average 7°F.

    1,191 people · Bremer County · median home $120,500 · income $78,324 · Jan low 7°F · 38 in snow

    Full Tripoli, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Gladbrook, Iowa

    Retirement: 94th percentile · Quiet: 90th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 83rd percentile

    Gladbrook is a city of 799 people in Tama County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $125,200 against household income of $70,125; January lows average 10°F.

    799 people · Tama County · median home $125,200 · income $70,125 · Jan low 10°F · 28 in snow

    Full Gladbrook, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Albert City, Iowa

    Retirement: 86th percentile · Quiet: 83rd percentile · Home value ÷ income: 98th percentile

    Albert City is a city of 677 people in Buena Vista County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $96,500 against household income of $80,972; January lows average 8°F.

    677 people · Buena Vista County · median home $96,500 · income $80,972 · Jan low 8°F · 36 in snow

    Full Albert City, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Fonda, Iowa

    Retirement: 85th percentile · Quiet: 83rd percentile · Home value ÷ income: 99th percentile

    Fonda is a city of 636 people in Pocahontas County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $58,500 against household income of $54,853; January lows average 8°F.

    636 people · Pocahontas County · median home $58,500 · income $54,853 · Jan low 8°F · 34 in snow

    Full Fonda, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Buffalo Center, Iowa

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Quiet: 93rd percentile · Home value ÷ income: 76th percentile

    Buffalo Center is a city of 857 people in Winnebago County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $100,500 against household income of $52,917; January lows average 6°F.

    857 people · Winnebago County · median home $100,500 · income $52,917 · Jan low 6°F · 44 in snow

    Full Buffalo Center, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Aurelia, Iowa

    Retirement: 98th percentile · Quiet: 99th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 71st percentile

    Aurelia is a city of 968 people in Cherokee County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $139,900 against household income of $71,500; January lows average 7°F.

    968 people · Cherokee County · median home $139,900 · income $71,500 · Jan low 7°F · 38 in snow

    Full Aurelia, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5Allison, Iowa

    Retirement: 98th percentile · Quiet: 88th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 88th percentile

    Allison is a city of 966 people in Butler County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $111,500 against household income of $64,063; January lows average 8°F.

    966 people · Butler County · median home $111,500 · income $64,063 · Jan low 8°F · 34 in snow

    Full Allison, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Britt, Iowa

    Retirement: 82nd percentile · Quiet: 97th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 95th percentile

    Britt is a city of 2,044 people in Hancock County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $101,900 against household income of $72,943; January lows average 6°F.

    2,044 people · Hancock County · median home $101,900 · income $72,943 · Jan low 6°F · 37 in snow

    Full Britt, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Charter Oak, Iowa

    Retirement: 88th percentile · Quiet: 96th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 93rd percentile

    Charter Oak is a city of 535 people in Crawford County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $77,700 against household income of $53,042; January lows average 9°F.

    535 people · Crawford County · median home $77,700 · income $53,042 · Jan low 9°F · 31 in snow

    Full Charter Oak, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Manning, Iowa

    Retirement: 93rd percentile · Quiet: 98th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 88th percentile

    Manning is a city of 1,455 people in Carroll County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $120,500 against household income of $72,831; January lows average 10°F.

    1,455 people · Carroll County · median home $120,500 · income $72,831 · Jan low 10°F · 33 in snow

    Full Manning, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Whiting, Iowa

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Quiet: 95th percentile · Home value ÷ income: 91st percentile

    Whiting is a city of 745 people in Monona County, Iowa. Homes have a median value of $113,800 against household income of $73,333; January lows average 9°F.

    745 people · Monona County · median home $113,800 · income $73,333 · Jan low 9°F · 31 in snow

    Full Whiting, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Iowa rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Iowa
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in Iowa
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Iowa
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Iowa
• 25 Small Towns in Iowa With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in Iowa With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Iowa
• 25 Small Towns in Iowa With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Iowa
• The 25 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Iowa With Mild Winters

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in New York
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Michigan
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Wisconsin
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Texas
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Minnesota
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Illinois
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Ohio