Best counties to retire to in Iowa
Best counties to retire to in Iowa
Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.
When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Iowa using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.
Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.
Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Iowa.
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#25. Guthrie County
- Population: 10,674
- Median home value: $115,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $662 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $57,075
#24. Grundy County
- Population: 12,341
- Median home value: $131,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $631 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $66,965
#23. Clay County
- Population: 16,313
- Median home value: $120,600 (69% own)
- Median rent: $666 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $47,874
#22. Bremer County
- Population: 24,782
- Median home value: $162,100 (82% own)
- Median rent: $647 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $68,023
#21. Chickasaw County
- Population: 12,099
- Median home value: $112,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $565 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $55,385
#20. Lucas County
- Population: 8,597
- Median home value: $87,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $663 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $50,206
#19. Butler County
- Population: 14,735
- Median home value: $115,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $614 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $55,999
#18. Cass County
- Population: 13,191
- Median home value: $97,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $646 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $48,178
#17. Taylor County
- Population: 6,201
- Median home value: $79,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $584 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $48,717
#16. Fayette County
- Population: 19,929
- Median home value: $94,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $615 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $50,015
#15. Kossuth County
- Population: 15,075
- Median home value: $103,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $653 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $54,146
#14. O'Brien County
- Population: 13,911
- Median home value: $111,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $586 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $53,045
#13. Calhoun County
- Population: 9,780
- Median home value: $80,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $565 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $50,800
#12. Jefferson County
- Population: 18,077
- Median home value: $109,400 (67% own)
- Median rent: $666 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $43,378
#11. Poweshiek County
- Population: 18,605
- Median home value: $140,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $717 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $53,520
#10. Winnebago County
- Population: 10,571
- Median home value: $94,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $578 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $51,002
#9. Pocahontas County
- Population: 6,898
- Median home value: $75,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $567 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $49,877
#8. Hardin County
- Population: 17,127
- Median home value: $92,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $595 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $53,872
#7. Ida County
- Population: 6,916
- Median home value: $96,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $469 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $55,969
#6. Wright County
- Population: 12,804
- Median home value: $85,300 (72% own)
- Median rent: $623 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $50,198
#5. Cerro Gordo County
- Population: 42,984
- Median home value: $124,400 (69% own)
- Median rent: $693 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $52,902
#4. Hamilton County
- Population: 15,110
- Median home value: $101,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $673 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $56,273
#3. Monona County
- Population: 8,796
- Median home value: $86,700 (71% own)
- Median rent: $585 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $45,252
#2. Sac County
- Population: 9,868
- Median home value: $90,500 (79% own)
- Median rent: $597 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $54,958
#1. Dickinson County
- Population: 17,056
- Median home value: $179,300 (79% own)
- Median rent: $771 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $58,099
