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
Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids — Think twice
Cedar Rapids
Think twiceCedar Rapids, IA
Price
$157K
Schools
7.5/10
Walk
86/100
Mason City
Good for nowMason City, IA
Price
$147K
Schools
5.9/10
Walk
89/100
Burlington
Good for nowBurlington, IA
Price
$124K
Schools
6.5/10
Walk
77/100
Marshalltown
Think twiceMarshalltown, IA
Price
$141K
Schools
6.2/10
Walk
75/100
Sioux City
Think twiceSioux City, IA
Price
$260K
Schools
6.9/10
Walk
79/100
Des Moines
Good for nowDes Moines, IA
Price
$293K
Schools
6.8/10
Walk
75/100
Clinton
Settle hereClinton, IA
Price
$122K
Schools
5.7/10
Walk
55/100
Marion
Good for nowMarion, IA
Price
$244K
Schools
7.2/10
Walk
54/100
Ankeny
Good for nowAnkeny, IA
Price
$345K
Schools
7.3/10
Walk
65/100
Cedar Falls
Good for nowCedar Falls, IA
Price
$271K
Schools
7.1/10
Walk
57/100
Dubuque
Settle hereDubuque, IA
Price
$178K
Schools
7/10
Walk
42/100
West Des Moines
Good for nowWest Des Moines, IA
Price
$282K
Schools
6.4/10
Walk
58/100
Waterloo
Good for nowWaterloo, IA
Price
$184K
Schools
7/10
Walk
39/100
Bettendorf
Think twiceBettendorf, IA
Price
$312K
Schools
7.1/10
Walk
53/100
Urbandale
Good for nowUrbandale, IA
Price
$276K
Schools
5.9/10
Walk
56/100
Iowa City
Think twiceIowa City, IA
Price
$242K
Schools
7.3/10
Walk
41/100
Council Bluffs
Think twiceCouncil Bluffs, IA
Price
$152K
Schools
5.8/10
Walk
34/100
Ames
Good for nowAmes, IA
Price
$254K
Schools
5.3/10
Walk
36/100
Waukee
Good for nowWaukee, IA
Price
$353K
Schools
7.3/10
Walk
24/100
Rockwell
Good for nowRockwell, IA
Price
$212K
Schools
3.7/10
Walk
15/100
Davenport
Think twiceDavenport, IA
Walk
55/100