Best overall
Carroll County
Overall score 79.7
Economy 75.2 / Affordability 77.3
State rankings
Best Counties to Live in Iowa
Compare counties in Iowa by affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and quality-of-life tradeoffs.
Use the county-size filter to compare large metro counties, mid-size counties, small counties, and rural areas separately. These modules are a starting point, then you can open the full rankings table or compare individual counties.
County size
County size helps compare places with similar scale. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Showing all 99 Iowa counties
Use this state ranking
Compare counties in Iowa
Put Iowa counties side by side.
Estimate moving costs
Compare housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and tax-pressure estimates.
Open Iowa rankings
Open the full Iowa ranking table with filters.
Explore on the map
Scan county scores geographically across the country.
Iowa county rankings at a glance
Compact winners for common county-search priorities.
Best for families
Shelby County
Family score 87.4
Schools 93.5 / Safety 97.1
Best value
Cherokee County
Value score 78.7
Affordability 86.1 / Taxes 48.7
Most affordable
Lee County
Affordability 92.5
Typical home $120,739
Best schools
Dallas County
Schools 97.9
Safety 94.7 / Economy 93.9
Safest
Mitchell County
Safety 99.9
Schools 82.1 / Peace 95.1
Low taxes
Van Buren County
Taxes 60.5
Affordability 76.4 / Typical home $181,866
Peace & quiet
Sioux County
Peace & Quiet 96.8
Density and built-environment signals
Top counties by category
Use these short lists to jump into the state rankings that match your priorities.
Best overall counties in Iowa
View full- 1Carroll County
Typical home $202,644
79.7
Overall
- 2Shelby County
Typical home $211,831
79.5
Overall
- 3Sioux County
Typical home $303,973
79.3
Overall
- 4Lyon County
Typical home $259,058
79.2
Overall
- 5Taylor County
Typical home $135,815
79.1
Overall
Best counties for families in Iowa
View full- 1Shelby County
Typical home $211,831
87.4
Family
- 2Humboldt County
Typical home $159,105
87.3
Family
- 3Bremer County
Typical home $252,840
86.4
Family
- 4Carroll County
Typical home $202,644
85.8
Family
- 5Taylor County
Typical home $135,815
84.9
Family
Best value counties in Iowa
View full- 1Cherokee County
Typical home $157,504
78.7
Value
- 2Worth County
Typical home $187,844
78.1
Value
- 3Hancock County
Typical home $180,647
76.5
Value
- 4Osceola County
Typical home $171,599
76.2
Value
- 5Chickasaw County
Typical home $212,357
75.8
Value
Most affordable counties in Iowa
View full- 1Lee County
Typical home $120,739
92.5
Afford.
- 2Pocahontas County
Typical home $103,731
91.6
Afford.
- 3Taylor County
Typical home $135,815
88.7
Afford.
- 4Wright County
Typical home $136,478
88.5
Afford.
- 5Wapello County
Typical home $127,723
88.3
Afford.
Best school counties in Iowa
View full- 1Dallas County
Typical home $349,911
97.9
Schools
- 2Story County
Typical home $273,205
97.4
Schools
- 3Winneshiek County
Typical home $313,931
96.2
Schools
- 4Shelby County
Typical home $211,831
93.5
Schools
- 5Bremer County
Typical home $252,840
93.1
Schools
Lowest tax-score counties in Iowa
View full- 1Van Buren County
Typical home $181,866
60.5
Taxes
- 2Osceola County
Typical home $171,599
58.7
Taxes
- 3Ida County
Typical home $151,974
57.8
Taxes
- 4Dickinson County
Typical home $375,032
57.7
Taxes
- 5Lyon County
Typical home $259,058
57
Taxes
Quietest counties in Iowa
View full- 1Sioux County
Typical home $303,973
96.8
Quiet
- 2Cass County
Typical home $160,246
96.8
Quiet
- 3Winnebago County
Typical home $150,841
96.6
Quiet
- 4Ida County
Typical home $151,974
96.3
Quiet
- 5Kossuth County
Typical home $167,979
96.3
Quiet
Safest counties in Iowa
View full- 1Mitchell County
Typical home $206,631
99.9
Safety
- 2Franklin County
Typical home $155,096
99.6
Safety
- 3Emmet County
Typical home $151,541
99
Safety
- 4Crawford County
Typical home $176,453
98.4
Safety
- 5Carroll County
Typical home $202,644
97.7
Safety
Popular Iowa county comparisons
Put two counties side by side before you narrow the search.
How to choose a county in Iowa
The best county in Iowa depends on what you need most. Families may care more about schools and safety, budget-focused movers may care more about affordability and taxes, and quiet-living households may care more about density and peace & quiet. Large counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so use the county-size filter to compare places with similar scale.
Best for different needs
Best overall counties in Iowa
For best overall counties in Iowa, Carroll County, Shelby County, and Sioux County stand out in this model because they combine several public-data signals instead of winning on only one category.
View this rankingBest counties for families in Iowa
For families, Shelby County, Humboldt County, and Bremer County score well in the family blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet.
View this rankingMost affordable counties in Iowa
For affordability-focused movers, Lee County, Pocahontas County, and Taylor County may appeal because they score well on housing and income tradeoff signals in the current model.
View this rankingBest school counties in Iowa
For school-first households, Dallas County, Story County, and Winneshiek County lead the current school score, though families should still compare district-level details.
View this rankingBest low-tax counties in Iowa
For lower tax-pressure searches, Van Buren County, Osceola County, and Ida County score well on the tax model, but buyers should still check local property taxes and carrying costs.
View this rankingBest quiet counties in Iowa
For quieter-living searches, Sioux County, Cass County, and Winnebago County stand out on peace & quiet signals such as density and built-environment indicators.
View this rankingWhat to watch before moving to Iowa
Compare county scale carefully in Iowa; large metro counties and rural counties can rank well for very different reasons.
Check town-level housing costs, commute patterns, school districts, and local services before making a final move decision.
Frequently asked questions about the best counties in Iowa
What is the best county to live in Iowa?
The best county depends on your priorities. In this ranking model, Carroll County currently scores highest overall, but families, budget-focused movers, and quiet-living households may prefer different counties.
What is the best county in Iowa for families?
Based on the family ranking blend of schools, safety, affordability, taxes, economy, and peace & quiet, Shelby County stands out in this model.
What is the most affordable county in Iowa?
Lee County scores highly on affordability in this model, but buyers should still compare home prices, taxes, insurance, commute costs, and local job access.
How should I compare large and small counties?
Use the county-size filter. Large metro counties and small rural counties can rank well for very different reasons, so comparing similar county sizes usually gives a more realistic shortlist.
Are these rankings based on reviews?
No. These rankings use public-data signals such as affordability, schools, safety, taxes, economy, home values, and peace & quiet. Local reviews and personal visits should still be part of a final decision.
Which Iowa counties score well for schools or taxes?
Dallas County currently leads the school-score view, while Van Buren County stands out on the tax-score view. Use the rankings presets to compare those priorities separately.
All Iowa counties
Showing all 99 Iowa counties ranked by the default generated overall score.
| Rank | County | Overall | Economy | Afford. | Schools | Safety | Taxes | Peace & Quiet | Typical home | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carroll County FIPS 19027 | 79.7 | 75.2 | 77.3 | 86.1 | 97.7 | 48.7 | 95.9 | $202,644 | $72,930 |
| 2 | Shelby County FIPS 19165 | 79.5 | 72.6 | 75.7 | 93.5 | 97.1 | 45.1 | 93.8 | $211,831 | $72,738 |
| 3 | Sioux County FIPS 19167 | 79.3 | 93.5 | 64.2 | 79.4 | 97 | 46.1 | 96.8 | $303,973 | $86,098 |
| 4 | Lyon County FIPS 19119 | 79.2 | 90 | 67.7 | 82.4 | 85.5 | 57 | 94.5 | $259,058 | $76,746 |
| 5 | Taylor County FIPS 19173 | 79.1 | 69.3 | 88.7 | 87.6 | 87.1 | 44.3 | 90.9 | $135,815 | $67,740 |
| 6 | Chickasaw County FIPS 19037 | 79 | 82 | 78.5 | 77.2 | 89.9 | 52.8 | 93.1 | $212,357 | $75,675 |
| 7 | Worth County FIPS 19195 | 79 | 75 | 85.5 | 75.2 | 90.2 | 56.4 | 92.5 | $187,844 | $78,008 |
| 8 | Mitchell County FIPS 19131 | 78.8 | 73.9 | 77.2 | 82.1 | 99.9 | 49 | 95.1 | $206,631 | $71,365 |
| 9 | Hamilton County FIPS 19079 | 78.6 | 76.9 | 85.2 | 81.1 | 91.6 | 35.6 | 91.9 | $163,454 | $72,432 |
| 10 | Hancock County FIPS 19081 | 78.5 | 75.6 | 83.7 | 75.6 | 91.4 | 51 | 94.2 | $180,647 | $70,601 |
| 11 | Bremer County FIPS 19017 | 78.4 | 72.9 | 74.8 | 93.1 | 97.2 | 36.9 | 90.8 | $252,840 | $86,784 |
| 12 | Dallas County FIPS 19049 | 78.2 | 93.9 | 62.3 | 97.9 | 94.7 | 12.8 | 81.7 | $349,911 | $102,379 |
| 13 | Cherokee County FIPS 19035 | 77.9 | 81.3 | 86.1 | 59 | 97.2 | 48.7 | 95.7 | $157,504 | $71,269 |
| 14 | Humboldt County FIPS 19091 | 77.8 | 62.7 | 85.9 | 91 | 96.6 | 32.6 | 93.7 | $159,105 | $71,946 |
| 15 | Grundy County FIPS 19075 | 77.3 | 70.3 | 84.2 | 82.6 | 88.3 | 43.4 | 91.3 | $214,673 | $87,205 |
| 16 | Warren County FIPS 19181 | 76.8 | 83.7 | 67.9 | 92.1 | 89.5 | 27.9 | 86.1 | $320,411 | $94,588 |
| 17 | Ringgold County FIPS 19159 | 76.6 | 73.9 | 78 | 87.2 | 90.7 | 34.5 | 82.5 | $172,344 | $73,346 |
| 18 | Madison County FIPS 19121 | 76.5 | 78.8 | 63.5 | 92.2 | 97.6 | 34.2 | 87.5 | $333,980 | $90,855 |
| 19 | O'Brien County FIPS 19141 | 76.2 | 73.9 | 76.2 | 82.2 | 83.3 | 51.2 | 92.5 | $187,576 | $68,356 |
| 20 | Plymouth County FIPS 19149 | 76 | 78.1 | 65.9 | 80.9 | 93.3 | 50.9 | 94.9 | $286,326 | $83,251 |
| 21 | Audubon County FIPS 19009 | 75.9 | 69.4 | 81.4 | 74.8 | 94.6 | 42.8 | 95.5 | $155,863 | $58,229 |
| 22 | Wright County FIPS 19197 | 75.8 | 81.7 | 88.5 | 57 | 95.5 | 30.5 | 90.3 | $136,478 | $67,190 |
| 23 | Marion County FIPS 19125 | 75.5 | 74 | 68.1 | 89.5 | 92.4 | 37.2 | 90.3 | $266,824 | $78,680 |
| 24 | Guthrie County FIPS 19077 | 75.3 | 80.9 | 64.3 | 77.3 | 94 | 53.6 | 82.5 | $270,628 | $77,711 |
| 25 | Osceola County FIPS 19143 | 75.2 | 81.1 | 81.9 | 63.3 | 74.1 | 58.7 | 95.4 | $171,599 | $69,239 |
| 26 | Calhoun County FIPS 19025 | 74.9 | 65.5 | 84.3 | 75.7 | 89.6 | 45 | 88.1 | $149,518 | $64,964 |
| 27 | Delaware County FIPS 19055 | 74.7 | 72.3 | 73.2 | 77.5 | 93.9 | 41.6 | 91.9 | $231,870 | $74,989 |
| 28 | Ida County FIPS 19093 | 74.6 | 62.6 | 81.5 | 82.7 | 76.6 | 57.8 | 96.3 | $151,974 | $63,073 |
| 29 | Winneshiek County FIPS 19191 | 74.5 | 72.2 | 55.3 | 96.2 | 95.2 | 43.8 | 93.7 | $313,931 | $79,066 |
| 30 | Davis County FIPS 19051 | 74.2 | 79.6 | 76 | 59.6 | 96.9 | 44.7 | 87.9 | $229,109 | $77,194 |
| 31 | Clay County FIPS 19041 | 73.8 | 69.3 | 74 | 77.1 | 93 | 39.2 | 93.5 | $189,272 | $65,428 |
| 32 | Sac County FIPS 19161 | 73.6 | 72 | 83.8 | 56.3 | 91.6 | 51.7 | 89 | $164,687 | $73,838 |
| 33 | Benton County FIPS 19011 | 73.2 | 69.2 | 71.2 | 80.1 | 88.1 | 43.8 | 88.7 | $276,829 | $86,962 |
| 34 | Winnebago County FIPS 19189 | 73.2 | 78.4 | 84.2 | 67 | 70.5 | 37.5 | 96.6 | $150,841 | $67,642 |
| 35 | Kossuth County FIPS 19109 | 72.9 | 75.9 | 84.1 | 58.3 | 73.5 | 53.8 | 96.3 | $167,979 | $67,697 |
| 36 | Hardin County FIPS 19083 | 72.6 | 67.1 | 85.6 | 66.1 | 86.5 | 37.3 | 89.9 | $141,286 | $65,069 |
| 37 | Harrison County FIPS 19085 | 72.6 | 73.6 | 76.4 | 62.6 | 93.2 | 41.4 | 88.4 | $218,653 | $79,535 |
| 38 | Adams County FIPS 19003 | 72.3 | 62.8 | 84.5 | 67 | 87.2 | 45 | 90.4 | $156,660 | $71,875 |
| 39 | Butler County FIPS 19023 | 71.9 | 62.3 | 83.6 | 69.6 | 91.1 | 34.2 | 88.6 | $184,889 | $73,715 |
| 40 | Boone County FIPS 19015 | 71.8 | 70.2 | 77.3 | 67.7 | 93.4 | 28.7 | 89.4 | $230,323 | $83,531 |
| 41 | Monroe County FIPS 19135 | 71.8 | 65.6 | 84.7 | 70.3 | 86.4 | 30.8 | 83.3 | $168,654 | $70,996 |
| 42 | Mills County FIPS 19129 | 71.7 | 65.6 | 72 | 89.8 | 82.1 | 26.7 | 86.6 | $277,125 | $90,753 |
| 43 | Adair County FIPS 19001 | 71.6 | 82.1 | 75.8 | 44.8 | 96.4 | 40.3 | 93.3 | $190,466 | $68,092 |
| 44 | Wayne County FIPS 19185 | 71.4 | 66.1 | 85.5 | 59.8 | 85.7 | 43.6 | 86.9 | $140,437 | $61,964 |
| 45 | Iowa County FIPS 19095 | 71.3 | 59 | 72.5 | 84.4 | 91.9 | 31.9 | 92.3 | $224,938 | $71,223 |
| 46 | Poweshiek County FIPS 19157 | 70.6 | 72.1 | 66.8 | 92.3 | 65.4 | 30.3 | 91.6 | $215,588 | $67,391 |
| 47 | Cass County FIPS 19029 | 70.5 | 66.1 | 79.9 | 73.2 | 76.3 | 30.4 | 96.8 | $160,246 | $63,013 |
| 48 | Pocahontas County FIPS 19151 | 70.5 | 57 | 91.6 | 64.3 | 75.1 | 47.5 | 89.2 | $103,731 | $61,875 |
| 49 | Cedar County FIPS 19031 | 70.4 | 68.5 | 73.5 | 63.1 | 91.8 | 41 | 87.8 | $247,380 | $80,602 |
| 50 | Howard County FIPS 19089 | 70.4 | 70.8 | 74.5 | 53.2 | 94.7 | 47.6 | 89.1 | $194,689 | $67,446 |
| 51 | Dickinson County FIPS 19059 | 70.3 | 77.9 | 34.2 | 90.2 | 96 | 57.7 | 81.4 | $375,032 | $75,432 |
| 52 | Jackson County FIPS 19097 | 70.2 | 63.9 | 72.4 | 61.9 | 97.4 | 47.4 | 87.9 | $230,726 | $74,186 |
| 53 | Washington County FIPS 19183 | 70.2 | 84 | 73.6 | 53.7 | 84.5 | 29 | 90.1 | $226,574 | $75,647 |
| 54 | Palo Alto County FIPS 19147 | 70 | 78.4 | 81 | 40.9 | 78.8 | 55.7 | 92.2 | $169,655 | $72,781 |
| 55 | Buchanan County FIPS 19019 | 69.9 | 67.1 | 77.8 | 67.8 | 77.8 | 39.5 | 90 | $220,037 | $78,236 |
| 56 | Keokuk County FIPS 19107 | 69.9 | 56.8 | 85.8 | 62.1 | 86.1 | 45.8 | 86.9 | $144,716 | $62,329 |
| 57 | Fayette County FIPS 19065 | 69.8 | 60.9 | 80.7 | 62.5 | 91.9 | 36.3 | 90.2 | $152,872 | $60,165 |
| 58 | Greene County FIPS 19073 | 69.8 | 67.4 | 79.2 | 60.9 | 80.7 | 42.8 | 91.2 | $170,550 | $63,409 |
| 59 | Floyd County FIPS 19067 | 69.3 | 62.8 | 84.4 | 49.8 | 96.9 | 34.2 | 92.5 | $156,965 | $68,557 |
| 60 | Dubuque County FIPS 19061 | 69.2 | 67 | 64.2 | 70.4 | 95.6 | 36.2 | 87.3 | $272,846 | $77,630 |
| 61 | Cerro Gordo County FIPS 19033 | 68.9 | 72.9 | 72.5 | 54.2 | 94.9 | 30 | 90.3 | $196,088 | $68,189 |
| 62 | Jasper County FIPS 19099 | 68.8 | 63.9 | 69.7 | 66 | 96.9 | 32.3 | 89.1 | $226,755 | $71,311 |
| 63 | Franklin County FIPS 19069 | 68.7 | 59.7 | 79.8 | 49.9 | 99.6 | 43 | 92.7 | $155,096 | $59,894 |
| 64 | Mahaska County FIPS 19123 | 67.9 | 70.1 | 73.6 | 50 | 88.1 | 41.2 | 92.9 | $194,979 | $70,940 |
| 65 | Clinton County FIPS 19045 | 67.7 | 52.5 | 80.2 | 69.7 | 94.2 | 20.2 | 88.4 | $173,141 | $66,981 |
| 66 | Buena Vista County FIPS 19021 | 67.6 | 80.4 | 79.9 | 22.3 | 92.7 | 44 | 95.7 | $186,339 | $71,719 |
| 67 | Clarke County FIPS 19039 | 67.3 | 76.2 | 78 | 44.3 | 86.7 | 24.4 | 89.4 | $192,362 | $71,641 |
| 68 | Jefferson County FIPS 19101 | 67.1 | 53.2 | 71.8 | 69.5 | 96.6 | 26.9 | 94.9 | $182,079 | $61,620 |
| 69 | Page County FIPS 19145 | 67 | 60.3 | 79.7 | 47.7 | 95.4 | 34.2 | 93.6 | $147,055 | $57,953 |
| 70 | Fremont County FIPS 19071 | 66.5 | 56.7 | 80.7 | 60.3 | 73.5 | 44.6 | 91.7 | $180,884 | $71,621 |
| 71 | Henry County FIPS 19087 | 66.3 | 57.8 | 78.2 | 60.6 | 89.8 | 21.7 | 91.6 | $186,274 | $67,436 |
| 72 | Emmet County FIPS 19063 | 66.2 | 64.8 | 84 | 27.2 | 99 | 40.8 | 91.8 | $151,541 | $63,730 |
| 73 | Lee County FIPS 19111 | 66.2 | 55 | 92.5 | 47.7 | 91.5 | 16.1 | 89.8 | $120,739 | $62,382 |
| 74 | Johnson County FIPS 19103 | 65.9 | 67.7 | 50.5 | 88.5 | 95.5 | 4.8 | 77.5 | $305,263 | $74,935 |
| 75 | Appanoose County FIPS 19007 | 65.3 | 47.4 | 87.1 | 61.4 | 85.7 | 20.7 | 88.5 | $111,977 | $54,934 |
| 76 | Monona County FIPS 19133 | 64.9 | 61.2 | 86 | 33 | 78.5 | 51.8 | 90.8 | $156,608 | $68,377 |
| 77 | Story County FIPS 19169 | 64.7 | 68.3 | 53.6 | 97.4 | 59.5 | 15.6 | 84.6 | $273,205 | $69,685 |
| 78 | Louisa County FIPS 19115 | 64.4 | 64.2 | 86.7 | 32.8 | 74 | 46.8 | 86.5 | $170,178 | $77,354 |
| 79 | Union County FIPS 19175 | 64.4 | 66.4 | 77.3 | 37.9 | 93.7 | 20.6 | 94.7 | $157,377 | $57,772 |
| 80 | Des Moines County FIPS 19057 | 64.3 | 53.3 | 86 | 43.5 | 93.6 | 22.8 | 89.9 | $145,501 | $62,928 |
| 81 | Lucas County FIPS 19117 | 64.2 | 60.2 | 80 | 43.2 | 74 | 49 | 91.1 | $176,555 | $61,793 |
| 82 | Crawford County FIPS 19047 | 64.1 | 53.1 | 80.4 | 36.3 | 98.4 | 38.7 | 95.7 | $176,453 | $67,027 |
| 83 | Pottawattamie County FIPS 19155 | 63.8 | 71.2 | 69.4 | 41.9 | 90.1 | 23.2 | 89.3 | $236,650 | $73,602 |
| 84 | Allamakee County FIPS 19005 | 63.7 | 60.7 | 61.5 | 49.2 | 94.7 | 48.9 | 84.7 | $248,586 | $70,694 |
| 85 | Van Buren County FIPS 19177 | 63.5 | 55.3 | 76.4 | 35.2 | 87.3 | 60.5 | 88 | $181,866 | $61,161 |
| 86 | Decatur County FIPS 19053 | 63.4 | 58.2 | 76.8 | 40.4 | 90.9 | 34.8 | 88.3 | $154,886 | $59,044 |
| 87 | Clayton County FIPS 19043 | 62.6 | 58.2 | 56.7 | 54.8 | 89.7 | 51 | 88.1 | $265,997 | $67,242 |
| 88 | Muscatine County FIPS 19139 | 62.5 | 57.3 | 76.3 | 46.5 | 88.5 | 19.9 | 90 | $195,873 | $69,396 |
| 89 | Webster County FIPS 19187 | 61.8 | 60.4 | 88.2 | 24.4 | 90.2 | 17.2 | 90.4 | $137,618 | $68,975 |
| 90 | Woodbury County FIPS 19193 | 61.2 | 63.8 | 76 | 38.7 | 76.7 | 25.9 | 88.7 | $203,074 | $73,658 |
| 91 | Tama County FIPS 19171 | 60.9 | 46.3 | 81.4 | 41.7 | 84.2 | 35.5 | 89.8 | $171,357 | $70,781 |
| 92 | Jones County FIPS 19105 | 60.7 | 56.9 | 72 | 62 | 50.8 | 40.2 | 89.1 | $236,012 | $73,531 |
| 93 | Montgomery County FIPS 19137 | 60.3 | 62.6 | 85.4 | 52.7 | 38.8 | 23.6 | 91.5 | $142,131 | $63,666 |
| 94 | Wapello County FIPS 19179 | 60 | 52.1 | 88.3 | 24.9 | 91.3 | 17.9 | 87.9 | $127,723 | $64,766 |
| 95 | Linn County FIPS 19113 | 59.8 | 65.4 | 73.2 | 76.2 | 35 | 10 | 73.1 | $232,276 | $77,649 |
| 96 | Polk County FIPS 19153 | 58.5 | 73.8 | 65.3 | 67.3 | 54.8 | 3.8 | 32.3 | $278,561 | $83,576 |
| 97 | Marshall County FIPS 19127 | 57.3 | 39.9 | 79.8 | 27.2 | 89.1 | 40.7 | 90 | $189,667 | $73,315 |
| 98 | Scott County FIPS 19163 | 53.8 | 64.3 | 70.2 | 68.8 | 6.1 | 20.4 | 68.3 | $241,812 | $78,277 |
| 99 | Black Hawk County FIPS 19013 | 49.7 | 52.5 | 75.9 | 44.1 | 24.6 | 10.3 | 81.9 | $182,638 | $66,417 |