Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Iowa using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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1 / 23#23. Williamsburg, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,437
- Population: 3,332
- Median household income: $78,861
- Median home value: $186,600 (62% own)
- Median rent: $745 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Williamsburg Junior/Senior High School (grade A minus), Mary Welsh Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lutheran Interparish School (grade unavailable)
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2 / 23#22. Grimes, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,433
- Population: 15,402
- Median household income: $99,896
- Median home value: $275,400 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,042 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A), Henry A. Wallace Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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3 / 23#21. Hiawatha, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,383
- Population: 7,179
- Median household income: $65,610
- Median home value: $194,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $818 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Hazel Point Intermediate School (grade A), John F. Kennedy High School (grade A minus), Viola Gibson Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Xavier High School (grade A minus), Cedar Valley Christian School (grade B minus), Isaac Newton Christian Academy (grade B minus)
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4 / 23#20. Tiffin, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,358
- Population: 4,845
- Median household income: $94,011
- Median home value: $295,800 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,152 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Liberty High School (grade A), Christine Grant Elementary School (grade A minus), Solon Intermediate (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Heritage Christian School (grade unavailable)
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5 / 23#19. Adel, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,352
- Population: 6,090
- Median household income: $91,891
- Median home value: $286,000 (67% own)
- Median rent: $818 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Van Meter Middle School (grade A), Radiant Elementary (grade A minus), Grant Ragan Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+), St. Francis of Assisi School (grade unavailable)
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6 / 23#18. Bondurant, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 2,000
- Population: 7,617
- Median household income: $120,588
- Median home value: $274,800 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,084 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Heritage Elementary School (grade A minus), Spring Creek Sixth Grade Center (grade A minus), Altoona Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Ankeny Christian Academy (grade B+)
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7 / 23#17. Marion, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,843
- Population: 41,401
- Median household income: $81,519
- Median home value: $208,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $906 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Indian Creek Elementary School (grade A), Westfield Elementary School (grade A), Linn-Mar High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Xavier High School (grade A minus), Cedar Valley Christian School (grade B minus), Isaac Newton Christian Academy (grade B minus)
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8 / 23#16. Polk City, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,828
- Population: 5,604
- Median household income: $152,536
- Median home value: $363,100 (88% own)
- Median rent: $723 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Rock Creek Elementary School (grade A), Northview Middle School (grade A), Prairie Ridge Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Des Moines Christian School (grade B+), Ankeny Christian Academy (grade B+), Holy Trinity Catholic School (grade unavailable)
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9 / 23#15. Le Claire, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,747
- Population: 4,679
- Median household income: $95,206
- Median home value: $284,600 (70% own)
- Median rent: $926 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Pleasant Valley Junior High School (grade A+), Pleasant Valley High School (grade A+), Cody Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools: Rivermont Collegiate (grade A+), Alleman High School (grade A minus), Assumption High School (grade A minus)
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10 / 23#14. Windsor Heights, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,624
- Population: 5,200
- Median household income: $85,055
- Median home value: $234,700 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,207 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Valley High School (grade A), Van Meter Middle School (grade A), Heritage Elementary (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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11 / 23#13. Eldridge, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,577
- Population: 6,693
- Median household income: $89,946
- Median home value: $289,500 (81% own)
- Median rent: $840 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Alan Shepard Elementary School (grade A minus), North Scott Junior High School (grade A minus), Edward White Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Rivermont Collegiate (grade A+), Alleman High School (grade A minus), Assumption High School (grade A minus)
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12 / 23#12. Iowa City, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,202
- Population: 74,878
- Median household income: $54,879
- Median home value: $256,600 (46% own)
- Median rent: $1,077 (54% rent)
- Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A), Liberty High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Hillcrest Academy (grade A minus)
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13 / 23#11. Mount Vernon, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,077
- Population: 4,529
- Median household income: $98,991
- Median home value: $234,400 (80% own)
- Median rent: $714 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Solon Intermediate (grade A minus), Washington Elementary School (grade A minus), Mount Vernon Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Cedar Valley Christian School (grade B minus), Isaac Newton Christian Academy (grade B minus), St. Matthew School (grade unavailable)
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14 / 23#10. Johnston, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,031
- Population: 23,856
- Median household income: $98,324
- Median home value: $332,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,225 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Prairie Trail Elementary School (grade A), Crocker Elementary School (grade A), Southview Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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15 / 23#9. Ankeny, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 1,022
- Population: 68,392
- Median household income: $101,151
- Median home value: $281,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,289 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Prairie Trail Elementary School (grade A), Northeast Elementary School (grade A), Rock Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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16 / 23#8. North Liberty, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 900
- Population: 20,393
- Median household income: $100,197
- Median home value: $272,900 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,198 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Liberty High School (grade A), Christine Grant Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Isaac Newton Christian Academy (grade B minus)
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17 / 23#7. Urbandale, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 810
- Population: 45,591
- Median household income: $111,888
- Median home value: $298,500 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,108 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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18 / 23#6. Coralville, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 697
- Population: 22,494
- Median household income: $67,691
- Median home value: $271,800 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,022 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Wickham Elementary School (grade A), Lincoln Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Heritage Christian School (grade unavailable)
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19 / 23#5. West Des Moines, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 639
- Population: 68,744
- Median household income: $82,345
- Median home value: $266,700 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,153 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Van Meter Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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20 / 23#4. Bettendorf, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 546
- Population: 38,997
- Median household income: $100,570
- Median home value: $273,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Hopewell Elementary (grade A+), Pleasant View Elementary (grade A+), Pleasant Valley Junior High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Rivermont Collegiate (grade A+), Alleman High School (grade A minus), Assumption High School (grade A minus)
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21 / 23#3. Clive, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 483
- Population: 18,576
- Median household income: $124,908
- Median home value: $359,300 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,089 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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22 / 23#2. Waukee, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 430
- Population: 25,045
- Median household income: $106,846
- Median home value: $305,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,209 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Waukee Senior High School (grade A), Valley High School (grade A), Walnut Hills Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Dowling Catholic High School (grade A), Grand View Christian School (grade A minus), Des Moines Christian School (grade B+)
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23 / 23#1. University Heights, Iowa
- Overall Rank: 359
- Population: 1,353
- Median household income: $102,838
- Median home value: $379,000 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,455 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: West Senior High School (grade A+), Liberty High School (grade A), Christine Grant Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Scattergood Friends School (grade A), Regina Catholic Education Center (grade A), Heritage Christian School (grade unavailable)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
