Senior Apartments in Iowa

Iowa is often referred to as the “Land of the Rolling Prairie” due to the immense fertile plains that cover the region. The state is famous for its farms, growing crops such as corn and soybeans. Iowa is more than just farmland, however – it’s home to many quaint, rural towns as well as larger cities such as Sioux City and Des Moines. Its varied landscape, relatively low cost of living, and proximity to major Midwestern cities like Chicago and Minneapolis make Iowa a convenient location to call home and a great place to retire.

The median monthly cost of a senior apartment in Iowa is about $650. A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can provide you with a list of senior apartment communities in Iowa to help you find one that fits your needs and budget.

Top cities in Iowa

Cedar Rapids Des Moines Albia Boone Carlisle Council Bluffs

Iowa Senior Apartment Regulations

Each state regulates senior living communities differently. Because senior apartments are sometimes offered by assisted living communities, states may regulate senior apartments within their guidelines for assisted living. You can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to facility records in Iowa.

In Iowa, senior apartments are communities geared exclusively toward residents 55+, and include amenities similar to a typical apartment complex. These communities offer older adults an easier lifestyle by taking care of tasks such as yard work and household repairs, but they typically provide limited organized social events and few additional services compared to those offered by independent or assisted living communities.

Cost of Living

Overall, the cost of living in Iowa is considered to be more affordable than the national average. Iowa has an extremely low housing cost with its index rated 20 points below the national average. Iowa’s economy is dependent on farming, and much of the state is rural farmland. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

Cost of Living: 92
Groceries: 96
Housing: 80
Utilities: 95
Transportation: 96

Demographics

About 15% of Iowa’s population are seniors. Iowa is considered a political swing state, and in the 2016 presidential election, Iowa leaned conservative. Over one-third of the state's population live in rural areas, and Iowa’s farmers raise nearly 20% of the country’s corn and soybean crop.

2016 Presidential Election

42% voted Democratic
51% voted Republican
7% voted third party

Population

Median age: 38
Over the age of 55: 30%
2018 population: 3,156,145
2020 population: 3,181,310
Estimated 2025 population: 3,245,106

Miscellaneous

36% regularly attend a religious service
34% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
The state has a total of 5,107 congregations
There are 289 Masonic lodges in the state

Climate and Weather

Iowa has a humid continental type of climate, with seasonal temperatures varying widely. The summers in Iowa tend to be hot and muggy, while the winters often drop below freezing with heavy snowfall. The average humidity level is around 70% peaking in the summer at about 85%. A vast majority of the state is farmland which contributes greatly to Iowa’s high relative humidity levels.