Best small towns to live in Iowa

1. 1
   Manning, IA Score 89/100

   1,533 people · typical home $121k · household income $73k · 44 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 13% of IA · 1.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Britt, IA Score 83/100

   1,882 people · typical home $102k · household income $73k · 47 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 20% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Coon Rapids, IA Score 79/100

   1,467 people · typical home $134k · household income $76k · 44 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 23% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Alton, IA Score 77/100

   1,459 people · typical home $219k · household income $98k · 33 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 2% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Grundy Center, IA Score 75/100

   2,809 people · typical home $178k · household income $80k · 44 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 4% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Emmetsburg, IA Score 74/100

   3,648 people · typical home $114k · household income $56k · 30 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 31% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Leon, IA Score 72/100

   1,899 people · typical home $100k · household income $54k · schools in the top 44% of IA · 1.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Graettinger, IA Score 70/100

   1,096 people · typical home $89k · household income $82k · 34 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 78% of IA · 1.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Shell Rock, IA Score 70/100

   1,625 people · typical home $163k · household income $79k · 49 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 16% of IA · 3.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Jewell Junction, IA Score 69/100

    1,084 people · typical home $148k · household income $81k · 87 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 6% of IA · 3.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Tripoli, IA Score 69/100

    1,156 people · typical home $121k · household income $78k · 75 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 33% of IA · 3.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Monona, IA Score 69/100

    1,531 people · typical home $141k · household income $74k · 35 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of IA · 1.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Clarksville, IA Score 69/100

    1,237 people · typical home $126k · household income $63k · 49 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 27% of IA · 3.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Guthrie Center, IA Score 68/100

    1,689 people · typical home $124k · household income $71k · 103 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of IA · 1.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Manly, IA Score 68/100

    1,320 people · typical home $120k · household income $73k · 68 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 34% of IA · 4.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Corydon, IA Score 68/100

    1,628 people · typical home $92k · household income $51k · 138 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 19% of IA · 5.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Lake Park, IA Score 65/100

    1,184 people · typical home $169k · household income $75k · 83 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Bedford, IA Score 65/100

    1,336 people · typical home $97k · household income $61k · 153 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 2% of IA · 6.0% unemployment · 18 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Lake Mills, IA Score 65/100

    2,088 people · typical home $123k · household income $62k · 96 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 20 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Garner, IA Score 65/100

    3,049 people · typical home $186k · household income $71k · 47 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 5% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Onawa, IA Score 65/100

    2,839 people · typical home $146k · household income $62k · 93 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 25% of IA · 1.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Cresco, IA Score 65/100

    3,908 people · typical home $117k · household income $61k · 177 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 47% of IA · 1.0% unemployment · 0 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Clarion, IA Score 64/100

    2,770 people · typical home $116k · household income $65k · 65 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 85% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    New Hampton, IA Score 64/100

    3,453 people · typical home $168k · household income $63k · 40 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 21% of IA · 3.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Hawarden, IA Score 64/100

    2,658 people · typical home $136k · household income $74k · 58 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 79% of IA · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Iowa with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Iowa on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Iowa districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Iowa →