Loading...
Overall Rating: 85/100 · 159,000 veterans (6.4% of population)
Reviewed 2026. Programs and exemptions verified against Iowa veterans-affairs and tax-authority sources.
Benefit details verified January 2025. Tax exemptions, caps, and eligibility change and can vary by county — always confirm current figures with your county assessor and your Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs before you rely on them.
100% exempt from state income tax since 2014
1.56% average effective rate
Full exemption
100% P&T or 100%-rate (TDIU): credit for 100% of homestead property tax. Nothing below 100%.
Source ↗No veteran-specific exemptions (6% state + 1% local typical)
$180,000
VA Medical Center
3600 30th Street, Des Moines, IA 50310-5774
(515) 699-5999
24/7 emergency, PTSD treatment, surgery, mental health, women's health
Tuition waiver
Veterans discharged within past 3 years qualify for in-state tuition
Median Home
$216,801
1BR Rent
$800/mo
COL Index
85.3
Unemployment
2.8%
Major employers: Principal Financial, Nationwide Insurance, Wells Fargo, UnityPoint Health, Microsoft Data Center
Pros: Best job market in Iowa, VA medical center, affordable housing, tax-free military retirement
Cons: Cold snowy winters, property taxes high without disability exemption
Most veterans considering Iowa for relocation pair this with one of these next steps:
Compare side-by-side
Stack Iowa against the other 49 states on tax breaks, healthcare, and employment preferences.
Don't skip
State property tax exemptions kick in at specific rating tiers. Get your rating before you relocate.
Quick calculator
Determines which Iowa property tax tier you qualify for. 30 seconds.
Buying a home
$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
Sign up for free to use the interactive comparison tool, personalized savings calculator, and moving cost estimator.
Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 preference points on state employment applications; veterans with a service-connected disability, Purple Heart, or who receive VA disability compensation/pension receive 10 points. Points give preference consideration but do not guarantee an interview or hire.
Official source ↗Any Iowa resident who served on federal active duty can obtain a free annual combination hunting and fishing license (DD-214 documentation required).
Official source ↗Iowa residents with a service-connected disability rating or former POWs may receive a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license (nominal processing fee; VA disability letter required).
Official source ↗Iowa veterans can add a 'Veteran' designation to their driver's license or state ID by submitting an Iowa DOT application certified by the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs or a County Veterans Affairs Office, eliminating the need to carry discharge papers.
Official source ↗Seriously disabled veterans who received federal (Title 38) financial assistance to purchase a vehicle qualify for a Disabled Veteran plate free of charge and exemption from annual registration fees; the plate also allows free city parking.
Official source ↗State-operated long-term/skilled nursing facility for honorably discharged Iowa-resident veterans; veterans with a 70%+ VA disability rating receive nursing care at no out-of-pocket cost. Spouses married at least one year and Gold Star parents are also eligible. Apply through the county Veterans Affairs office.
Official source ↗A surviving spouse who is beneficiary of a qualifying disabled veteran's estate may continue the credit (equal to the full homestead tax levy) until remarriage or change of homestead; a spouse receiving DIC payments remains eligible even upon remarriage.
Official source ↗Sourced from official state agencies; programs and eligibility change — confirm with your Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs before applying.