Iowa has all the building blocks you need to craft your dream life. That’s why we’re a national leader for opportunity. Our vibrant communities, low cost of living, access to nature, lively arts and culture scene and more provide infinite opportunities to live, work, start a business and raise a family here.
A Foundation of Affordability
As life gets more expensive, Iowa maintains its reputation as the #1 state for low cost of living (CNBC, 2023), ensuring Iowans can spend their money (and time) on things they really love.
For some, that means purchasing the home of their dreams. As the state with the lowest income-to-mortgage ratio (Homebuyer.com, 2023), that goal is far more accessible here. Just ask Lily Allen-Dueñas and her husband, who moved to Iowa from California and bought a stunning home in a close-knit West Des Moines neighborhood (“Welcome Home”).
“I was so excited to be able to afford a home here,” Lily said. “I know cost of living and property is astronomical elsewhere, and for us to be young professionals and not have to save $1 million for a house, it felt more realistic (in Iowa).”
Make Steps Toward a More Fulfilling Career
Whether you’re exploring a new career or looking to climb the corporate ladder, Iowa’s ample job opportunities allow you to pave your own path and discover endless benefits along the way. The state’s various industries, including finance and insurance, technology, advanced manufacturing, biosciences and more, set the stage for landing your dream job. And Iowa’s employers utilize “Iowa nice” to welcome you with open arms.
In fact, Austin Mac Nab, owner of fintech superstar VizyPay, makes it a point to focus less on potential employees’ experience and expertise and more on their willingness to learn (“Maximize Your Potential in Iowa”). As a result, he’s built the ultimate fintech team of individuals with diverse backgrounds and knowledge.
“Iowa has hardworking individuals,” Austin said. “Most people think we’re some tiny little state, but we have plenty of business amenities, and this is a great place to raise your family. We have a great school system, and it’s the kind of place where we can create a company culture that attracts people.”
Forge Ahead with Your Innovative Business Ideas
Along with a thriving job market, Iowa also offers endless opportunities for entrepreneurs to bring their business plans to life — Iowa is the second-best state in the U.S. to start a business (Akounto, 2023) and one of the top five states for small business survival (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Here, aspiring business owners can tap into the state’s vast network of resources, organizations, universities and legacy companies, which offer everything from accelerators and mentorship to financial support.
Such resources have helped Iowans like Emily Steele build her influencer marketing company Hummingbirds; Blake Renaud launch the PicklePlay website and app; and Dasia Taylor invent her “smart sutures” and start the medical device company VariegateHealth (“Iowa is Calling”).
“I think there’s an entrepreneurial energy that has really blossomed,” Emily said.
“It’s that sense of community and pride and people really advocating for and supporting fellow business owners and entrepreneurs,” Emily said. “It’s all I know and am used to, but I think that that’s been something people have been delighted by as they move (to Iowa) from other states.”
Find a Community Designed for You
It’s safe to say that, here in Iowa, we’re big on community. Wherever in the state you decide to live and work, you’ll enjoy welcoming neighbors and dynamic towns. Not only is it easy to live here, it’s also easy to get where you need to go. The average commute time is under 20 minutes, allowing you to have more time to engage in your community, support local businesses or spend time with your family.
John Melvin moved to Iowa from the East Coast and was amazed at how much easier life is in Iowa. He and his wife are already deeply rooted in their close-knit Des Moines neighborhood (“Maximize Your Potential in Iowa”).
“[In central Iowa], you can do anything within 10 minutes,” John said.
“The combination of the great company and opportunity here, as well as the ease and livability of the community, all seemed to work better for us,” John said.
Add Dimension to Your World with Vibrant Cultures
Another great thing about Iowa’s communities is that they’re home to cultures from around the world, whose art, music and food bring people together.
Marshalltown (an hour northeast of Des Moines) is known as one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the state. In an effort to embrace all residents, the community released a campaign called Nos Vemos en Marshalltown to uplift its large Latino population. Fairfield (an hour northwest of Burlington) is also recognized for its culture, being named by Smithsonian magazine as one of America’s best small towns. The publication cited an impressive collection of restaurants that feature flavors from Ethiopia, Italy, Mexico, India, Thailand, China, Turkey, Japan and Vietnam (“Put Down Roots”).
The many cultures that call Iowa home also are on display at events such as the Des Moines’ CelebrAsian and World Food & Music Festival, Pella’s Dutch-inspired Tulip Time, Decorah’s Scandinavian Nordic Fest, the VIVA Ottumwa International Festival, Sioux City’s The Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair and more throughout the year.
Live Life in Color with Arts & Entertainment
Iowa’s energetic arts and entertainment scene provides even more opportunities to embrace other identities, ideas and styles. Passionate artists across the state work together to fuel their communities’ arts scene with some of the best live music, art crawls and signature festivals around.
And, as public art and beautification grow in importance and popularity, cities like Council Bluffs and Dubuque are at the forefront. Such efforts and accompanying support for artists are earning the attention of creators from across the country (“Put Down Roots”).
Kyle Kirwan and Sarah Booz relocated from New York’s Hudson Valley to Des Moines after hearing about Mainframe Studios, the largest nonprofit creative workspace in the nation (“Welcome Home”). Thrilled to have their own studio space, the couple was surprised to also discover a strong network of artists.
“There’s a lot of creative energy that I can tap into and it’s also constructive. This is one of the only places I’ve been where it’s not cutthroat,” Kyle said.
“People are happy for others to succeed,” Kyle said.
“Chasing the dream is a lot of effort,” he added, “and to come out here and sort of pool all our resources was really interesting and cool.”
Elevate Your Palate with Award-Winning Flavors
Iowans have also mastered the culinary arts scene. As one of the top agricultural states, we specialize in freshness. Our farms source the state’s craft breweries, wineries and distilleries as well as award-winning restaurants and farm-to-table events.
You won’t get tired of supporting Iowa’s farms through some of the best creations around by paying a visit to Century Farms Distillery in Spencer (near Okoboji), Late Harvest Brewery in Sioux Center (near Sioux City), Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery in Swisher (near Cedar Rapids) and Mississippi River Distilling in LeClaire (near the Quad Cities) to name a few. If you want to hit them all, download the Iowa Winery, Brewery and Distillery Passports at traveliowa.com.
You can also sample world-class flavors at restaurants like Archie’s Waeside in Le Mars (north of Sioux City) and Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown (near Dubuque), which have received James Beard Foundation Awards. But the list doesn’t stop there – James Beard semifinalist chefs across the state are elevating Iowa’s food scene at restaurants like Harbinger and Clyde’s Fine Diner in Des Moines, Brazen Open Kitchen & Bar in Dubuque and The Local Crumb in Mount Vernon (near Cedar Rapids).
Or craft your own meal with locally sourced ingredients found at Iowa’s farmers’ markets, which can be found in most communities between May and October. The Des Moines Farmers’ Market is one of the best in the Midwest and nation, Cedar Rapids’ is one of the largest in the Midwest and Dubuque’s is the longest running in the state.
Reconnect with Nature in the Amazing Outdoors
Though we value our farmland, Iowa also places a high priority on outdoor recreation. With nearly 53,000 acres of public land, 2,300 miles of bike trails, 18,000 miles of navigable streams and over 2,000 parks to explore, you’ll lose yourself in the beautiful landscape here.
Jacob Nanke, an Iowa native, has traveled the world to find the best outdoor recreation (“Backpacking Through Iowa’s Beauty”). But, after moving back and looking more closely at his home state, he discovered all the amazing adventures he has right in his backyard.
“It was a wild realization that we have certain things here in the Midwest that are beautiful,” Jacob said. “I’ve certainly taken them for granted.”
Thankfully, all outdoor adventures are just a short drive away. No matter where you are in the state, you’re not far from one of Iowa’s 80 state parks and forests. So, spend your weeknights or weekends admiring scenic bluffs with panoramic views along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, exploring twisting caves, traversing Iowa’s 14 scenic byways, biking to breweries and restaurants and more. The opportunities are endless.
Now that you know all the amazing things about Iowa, it’s time to make your move. We’re excited to welcome you home.
