"I've never had a way with women / But the hills of Iowa make me wish that I could / And I've never found a way to say I love you / But if the chance came by, oh I, I would / But way back where I come from, we never mean to bother / We never make our passions other people's concern / And we walk in the world of safe people / And at night we walk into our houses and burn." - Dar Williams, "Iowa" plant
IA Renter Confidence Survey
National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
Here’s how IA ranks on:
B-
Overall satisfaction
A
Safety and crime rate
A-
Jobs and career opportunities
B-
Recreational activities
A-
Affordability
A+
Quality of schools
B
Social Life
C
Weather
A
Commute time
B-
State and local taxes
C+
Public transit
B
Pet-friendliness

Overview of Findings

Apartment List has released Iowa’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.

"Iowa renters expressed general satisfaction with the state overall," according to Apartment List. "They gave most categories above-average or average scores."

Key findings in Iowa include the following:

  • Iowa renters gave their state a B- overall.
  • The highest-rated categories for Iowa were quality of local schools, which received an A+, and safety and low crime rate and commute time, which both received A grades.
  • The areas of concern to Iowa renters are weather (C) and public transit (C+).
  • Millennial renters are unsatisfied with their state, giving it an overall rating of C.
  • Iowa earned similar scores compared to nearby Missouri (B-), but earned lower scores than Minnesota (A+), Wisconsin (A) and Illinois (B+).
  • Iowa earned similar scores to other states nationwide, including Michigan (B-), Washington (B-) and Oregon (B-).
  • The top rated states nationwide for renter satisfaction include Colorado, Alaska, South Dakota, Idaho and Minnesota. The lowest rated states include Wyoming, Arkansas, Mississippi, West Virginia and Louisiana.