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Overall Rating: 85/100 · 159,000 veterans (6.4% of population)
100% exempt from state income tax since 2014
1.56% average effective rate
Full exemption
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.
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