WYLT Rankings · 2026
Best neighborhoods for first-time buyers
in Iowa
Ranked by value — neighborhoods with lower home prices that still deliver a strong WYLT verdict.
#1 Pick for First-Time Buyers in Iowa
Sioux City, Sioux City — Think twice
Sioux City
Think twiceSioux City, IA
Price
$220K
Schools
5.8/10
Walk
60/100
Des Moines
Good for nowDes Moines, IA
Price
$309K
Schools
6.1/10
Walk
65/100
Cedar Rapids
Think twiceCedar Rapids, IA
Price
$135K
Schools
5.7/10
Walk
40/100
Marshalltown
Think twiceMarshalltown, IA
Price
$125K
Schools
5.7/10
Walk
32/100
Mason City
Good for nowMason City, IA
Price
$130K
Schools
5.5/10
Walk
25/100
Urbandale
Good for nowUrbandale, IA
Price
$248K
Schools
6/10
Walk
29/100
Dubuque
Good for nowDubuque, IA
Price
$159K
Schools
7.9/10
Burlington
Good for nowBurlington, IA
Price
$122K
Schools
6.1/10
Walk
8/100
Cedar Falls
Good for nowCedar Falls, IA
Price
$250K
Schools
6.2/10
Walk
18/100
Clinton
Good for nowClinton, IA
Price
$116K
Schools
5.6/10
Waterloo
Good for nowWaterloo, IA
Price
$174K
Schools
6.1/10
Walk
2/100
Council Bluffs
Think twiceCouncil Bluffs, IA
Price
$130K
Schools
5.6/10
Bettendorf
Think twiceBettendorf, IA
Price
$279K
Schools
5.6/10
Walk
18/100
Iowa City
Think twiceIowa City, IA
Price
$226K
Schools
6.4/10
Marion
Good for nowMarion, IA
Price
$211K
Schools
6.1/10
West Des Moines
Good for nowWest Des Moines, IA
Price
$242K
Schools
6.1/10
Ankeny
Good for nowAnkeny, IA
Price
$293K
Schools
5.9/10
Walk
3/100
Ames
Think twiceAmes, IA
Price
$236K
Schools
4.7/10
Waukee
Settle hereWaukee, IA
Price
$310K
Schools
5.9/10
Davenport
Think twiceDavenport, IA
Schools
5.6/10
Walk
24/100