Cheapest Cities in Iowa 2026 | Most Affordable Places to Buy

All Affordable Cities in Iowa

#	City	Median Price	Days on Market	Months Supply	YoY Change
1	Beaver	$8K	14 days	—	N/A
2	Moorland	$8K	100 days	—	N/A
3	Rose Hill	$10K	171 days	—	N/A
4	St. Anthony	$10K	42 days	—	N/A
5	Linn Grove	$11K	9 days	1.0 mo	N/A
6	Boxholm	$13K	143 days	—	N/A
7	Henderson	$14K	10 days	—	N/A
8	Clare	$15K	74 days	—	N/A
9	Augusta	$17K	1564 days	—	N/A
10	Argyle	$20K	622 days	—	N/A
11	Walnut	$20K	31 days	—	N/A
12	Shelby	$21K	31 days	1.5 mo	N/A
13	Grafton	$22K	146 days	—	N/A
14	Hartford	$25K	8 days	—	N/A
15	Plainview	$27K	1366 days	—	N/A
16	Valeria	$28K	43 days	—	N/A
17	Center Junction	$30K	93 days	—	N/A
18	Jamaica	$30K	136 days	—	N/A
19	Rossie	$31K	57 days	—	N/A
20	Dougherty	$32K	25 days	—	N/A
21	Middletown	$34K	21 days	—	N/A
22	Coppock	$35K	66 days	—	N/A
23	Vincent	$35K	78 days	—	N/A
24	Clemons	$38K	16 days	—	N/A
25	Rockwell	$38K	255 days	4.0 mo	N/A
26	Big Rock	$40K	52 days	—	N/A
27	Climbing Hill	$45K	315 days	—	N/A
28	Peterson	$45K	9 days	1.0 mo	N/A
29	Reasnor	$45K	27 days	—	N/A
30	Blakesburg	$48K	156 days	1.0 mo	N/A
31	Beaman	$48K	18 days	—	N/A
32	Frederika	$48K	8 days	—	N/A
33	St. Marys	$48K	6 days	—	N/A
34	California Junction	$50K	1 days	—	N/A
35	Chillicothe	$50K	234 days	—	N/A
36	Pilot Mound	$50K	13 days	—	N/A
37	Ralston	$53K	7 days	—	N/A
38	Prairieburg	$58K	25 days	—	N/A
39	Tripoli	$59K	19 days	1.0 mo	N/A
40	Minburn	$59K	49 days	1.0 mo	N/A
41	Lehigh	$60K	59 days	—	N/A
42	Melcher-Dallas	$60K	48 days	4.0 mo	N/A
43	Montrose	$60K	131 days	1.0 mo	N/A
44	McCausland	$60K	5 days	—	N/A
45	Casey	$63K	24 days	—	N/A
46	Wyoming	$63K	165 days	0.5 mo	N/A
47	Dawson	$65K	31 days	—	N/A
48	Franklin	$65K	73 days	1.0 mo	N/A
49	Persia	$65K	6 days	2.0 mo	N/A
50	Stockton	$68K	29 days	—	N/A
51	Meservey	$73K	142 days	1.0 mo	N/A
52	Oto	$74K	5 days	—	N/A
53	Sherrill	$74K	58 days	—	N/A
54	Camanche	$75K	3 days	12.0 mo	N/A
55	Sheldahl	$75K	363 days	1.0 mo	N/A
56	Dedham	$77K	48 days	—	N/A
57	Fort Dodge	$77K	49 days	4.0 mo	N/A
58	Glidden	$80K	5 days	3.0 mo	N/A
59	Loveland	$80K	226 days	—	N/A
60	Panorama Park	$80K	39 days	—	N/A
61	Wilton	$80K	31 days	1.0 mo	N/A
62	Brighton	$82K	60 days	1.0 mo	N/A
63	Otho	$82K	13 days	—	N/A
64	Crawfordsville	$87K	27 days	—	N/A
65	Magnolia	$88K	25 days	—	N/A
66	Cushing	$89K	4 days	—	N/A
67	Ottumwa	$89K	47 days	3.8 mo	-6.3%
68	Rock Falls	$89K	42 days	—	N/A
69	Marathon	$90K	49 days	—	N/A
70	Rembrandt	$90K	63 days	—	N/A
71	Yale	$91K	21 days	1.0 mo	N/A
72	Harvey	$93K	69 days	—	N/A
73	Bayard	$95K	74 days	1.0 mo	N/A
74	Lacona	$95K	67 days	1.3 mo	N/A
75	Bagley	$98K	112 days	1.0 mo	N/A
76	Swaledale	$98K	68 days	—	N/A
77	Danbury	$100K	10 days	—	N/A
78	Morley	$100K	26 days	—	N/A
79	Oakland	$100K	43 days	3.0 mo	N/A
80	Little Sioux	$101K	90 days	0.5 mo	N/A
81	Coon Rapids	$103K	122 days	2.0 mo	N/A
82	Greenville	$103K	8 days	—	N/A
83	Watkins	$105K	6 days	—	N/A
84	Macksburg	$105K	7 days	—	N/A
85	Onslow	$105K	21 days	—	N/A
86	Green Mountain	$107K	13 days	—	N/A
87	Norway	$108K	94 days	4.0 mo	N/A
88	West Burlington	$109K	27 days	1.0 mo	N/A
89	Lockridge	$109K	98 days	—	N/A
90	Thornton	$110K	67 days	0.5 mo	N/A
91	Hamilton	$110K	40 days	—	N/A
92	Pierson	$110K	69 days	1.5 mo	N/A
93	Pisgah	$110K	46 days	0.3 mo	N/A
94	Duncombe	$112K	3 days	1.0 mo	N/A
95	Correctionville	$113K	45 days	4.0 mo	N/A
96	Ainsworth	$115K	104 days	—	N/A
97	Everly	$115K	95 days	1.0 mo	N/A
98	Fort Madison	$115K	63 days	6.9 mo	+57.5%
99	Olin	$115K	52 days	1.0 mo	N/A
100	Liscomb	$116K	107 days	—	N/A

Affordable Housing in Iowa

Looking for affordable housing in Iowa? We've ranked 100 cities by median home price to help you find budget-friendly options. The most affordable city is Beaver with a median price of $8K.

Tips for Finding Affordable Homes

Look at smaller cities: Often have lower prices than metro areas
Consider commute times: Suburbs may offer better value
Check market trends: Some affordable areas are appreciating quickly
Work with a local agent: They know hidden gems and upcoming areas

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the cheapest cities to buy a house in Iowa?

The most affordable cities in Iowa are listed above, ranked by median home price. These markets offer entry points significantly below the state average, making homeownership accessible for first-time buyers, investors, and those relocating on a budget.

Is it worth buying a cheap house in Iowa?

Affordable Iowa cities can offer excellent value, especially for long-term residents and investors. Key factors to evaluate include local job market strength, school quality, crime rates, and future development plans. A local agent can help you distinguish between genuine value and areas with underlying issues.

Why are some Iowa cities so much cheaper?

Lower home prices in certain Iowa cities reflect factors like smaller population size, distance from major metro areas, limited amenities, or economic transitions. However, many affordable cities offer strong quality of life, growing economies, and appreciation potential that makes them smart buying opportunities.

What salary do I need to buy a house in Iowa's cheapest cities?

In Iowa's most affordable markets, a household income of $40,000-$60,000 may be sufficient to qualify for a mortgage, depending on the specific price point and current interest rates. Use the 28% rule: your monthly housing payment shouldn't exceed 28% of gross monthly income. A local agent and lender can pre-qualify you.

Are cheap houses in Iowa a good investment?

Affordable properties can be excellent investments, especially in Iowa cities with growing populations and economies. Look for markets with rising employment, infrastructure investment, and limited new housing supply. These factors often precede price appreciation, turning today's affordable market into tomorrow's growing one.

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Cheapest Cities in Iowa

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