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Yes, Iowa can be a good place to retire. This is a state built on friendliness and steady living, where daily life moves at a comfortable pace. It’s not just farmland and small towns. Iowa mixes culture, outdoor adventure, and a cost of living that helps your savings stretch further.
Iowa’s beauty comes with trade-offs, though. Cold winters, hot summers, and severe storms. Public transit is limited, and small towns offer few part-time jobs.
This article takes a look at what makes Iowa both rewarding and challenging for retirees.
What You’ll Learn
The benefits of retiring in Iowa
The challenges of being a retiree in the Hawkeye State
The frequently asked questions people ask about retiring in Iowa
Summary
Pros of Retiring in Iowa
Affordability
The cost of living in Iowa is more than 10 percent lower than the rest of the country. This makes the Hawkeye State among the most affordable states to retire.
There are many reasons that contribute to the state’s affordability among retirees. One is that Iowans pay less than $231,000 for housing on average. This is almost 45 percent lower than the national average. Rent, groceries, electricity, and healthcare are also lower in the Hawkeye State.
The table below shows how retiring in Iowa costs compared to the national average:
Other points to think about when planning your retirement finances include:
No tax on Social Security: In Iowa, your Social Security benefits are exempt from state income tax.
Lower state sales tax rate: The Iowa sales tax rate is 6 percent. This is the 17th highest in the country and is the same rate as in other states, like Florida, Idaho, and Kentucky.
Outdoor Activities
If you’re looking to spend time outdoors, you’ll find plenty of activities to enjoy. The state has numerous parks, lakes, and paved trails, for gentle walking, biking, or fishing. Sunset strolls along quiet lakes or low-impact hikes through scenic woodlands can become part of your weekly rhythm.
In fact, there are multiple Iowa state parks that offer opportunities for exploration. Some include:
Ledges State Park: Located near Madrid, this park features a fully accessible trail to Lost Lake for gentle walking. It also offers picnic areas and scenic canyon drives.
Backbone State Park: Located near Dundee, Iowa’s oldest state park offers year-round modern cabins and paved paths with ADA-accessible fishing near the trout stream.
Rich Cultural and Recreational Amenities
Iowa offers retirees a rich cultural and recreational scene. Museums across the state showcase history, art, and science. Theatres and performing arts venues present live music, drama, and dance year-round.
Festivals also feature food, crafts, literature, and live entertainment that attract visitors of all ages. Some include:
Tulip Time Festival: Held each May in Pella, this Dutch-heritage event features blooming tulips, wooden-shoe dances, street fairs, and mild-paced strolls through town.
National Balloon Classic: A nine-day early-August hot-air balloon festival near Des Moines, with morning launches, evening “Night Glows,” and vendor booths.
Midwestern Culture
Iowa reflects classic Midwestern culture with welcoming communities, time-honored traditions, and accessible lifestyle options. Its small towns host local fairs and craft days rooted in agricultural history and neighborly connections.
One such city in Iowa, Dubuque, is an example of classic Midwestern charm. It lies where the Mississippi meets Iowa and welcomes newcomers with hearty greetings, local festivals, and a rooted sense of community.
Other cities in the Hawkeye State that offer the same Midwestern warmth include:
Sioux Center: This community hosts events like the Summer Celebration and the Youth Fair.
Mount Pleasant: Home to the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, a five-day event with steam engines and antique tractors.
Cons of Retiring in Iowa
Weather
Summers often bring highs in the 80s °F or higher, while winters routinely dip well below freezing. Storms are part of the pattern, too. Iowa averages around 45 to 60 thunderstorm days each year. It also experiences anywhere between 40 and 50 tornadoes annually.
With this backdrop, you can enjoy peaceful snowy winters and lively summer days, but staying weather-aware is wise.
This means it pays to:
Sign up for alerts through Alert Iowa: This allows you to receive official information about natural disasters or other emergencies in real time.
Build an emergency kit: Have non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, meds, and a fully charged phone at hand for snowstorms or power outages.
Limited Public Transportation
Public transportation in the Hawkeye State offers some services, but it also has some limitations. In the capital of Iowa, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority serves many neighborhoods. Outside of the metro, though, many smaller Iowa cities and towns have few or no transit options.
Dealing with this may involve:
Connecting with senior-specific transit programs: Many counties offer ride services or volunteer-driver options aimed at older adults.
Building a carpool network: Teaming up with friends or neighbors helps cover errands, appointments, and outings when fixed routes are not available.
Limited Job Opportunities
Employment opportunities in Iowa can be limited even though the unemployment rate is low. This is because growth in private-sector jobs has been weak. In fact, the private sector only gained 800 jobs in 2024, according to the Common Sense Institute.
That means if you’re looking for part-time work or supplemental income, you may face fewer openings, especially in rural areas. Planning ahead with flexible finances and exploring remote or gig work might help.
It may also be beneficial to:
Consider consulting roles: This reduces reliance on the local job market and lets you apply your experience in new ways.
Use specialized programs: One of these is the Senior Community Service Employment Program. It helps Iowans ages 55 and older with on-the-job training and community service placements.
Final Thoughts: Retiring in Iowa
Choosing Iowa for retirement means settling into a place that values connection, comfort, and simple enjoyment. Across the state, you’ll find welcoming towns, scenic trails, and easy access to local arts and community life. The mix of affordability and calm pace gives you space to live well without rushing.
From lively festivals to peaceful park mornings, Iowa for retirement offers both activity and rest in equal measure.
Move Your Car to the Hawkeye State with AmeriFreight
Let AmeriFreight Auto Transport handle your vehicle shipment before you settle into Iowa’s mix of friendly towns and wide-open spaces. Our agents work with licensed carriers nationwide to make your move smooth, reliable, and stress-free.
With more than 20 years of experience, AmeriFreight Auto Transport helps your vehicle reach your Iowa home safely and ready for the next drive through the Hawkeye State’s scenic roads.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can retired professionals find skilled, specialized volunteer opportunities in the Greater Des Moines area?
If you’re a retired professional looking to give back, start with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. It matches volunteers ages 55 and up with nonprofits and public agencies eager for skilled help.
Does the public transportation system in Iowa support non-driving seniors in smaller towns?
Public transportation in Iowa does support seniors in smaller towns, but the options are limited. The state features 35 transit systems covering all 99 counties, including demand-response van services. In many rural areas, though, fixed-route service is minimal.
Which Iowa towns are considered the safest and most pedestrian-friendly for older adults?
Some of the best places to live in Iowa for older adults seeking safety and walkability include:
Sioux Center: Known for its exceptionally low violent-crime rate and welcoming small-town feel.
Ames: Offers a pedestrian-friendly downtown, university-community energy, and safe neighborhoods.
Which cities in Iowa offer the most affordable housing for seniors?
Some of the best cities in Iowa for retirees seeking affordable housing include:
Cresco: The average home value here is $199,126. This is 59 percent lower than the national average.
Carroll: The average home value here is $201,720. This is 57 percent lower than the national average.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, laws, regulations, and local conditions are subject to change without notice.
Readers should not act upon this information without seeking appropriate professional counsel, especially in financial and legal matters.
