Out of 1,058 ZIP codes with data in Iowa, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Iowa Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 1,058 |
| Highest value | 72/100 |
| Median value | 39/100 |
| State | Iowa |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Purchase Risk | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52801 | Davenport | IA | 72/100 | 49/100 |
| 2 | 52310 | Monticello | IA | 70/100 | 64/100 |
| 3 | 52215 | Chelsea | IA | 69/100 | 54/100 |
| 4 | 52401 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 68/100 | 55/100 |
| 5 | 52242 | Iowa City | IA | 67/100 | 51/100 |
| 6 | 52802 | Davenport | IA | 67/100 | 44/100 |
| 7 | 50501 | Fort Dodge | IA | 66/100 | 35/100 |
| 8 | 50557 | Lehigh | IA | 66/100 | 44/100 |
| 9 | 51451 | Lanesboro | IA | 66/100 | 50/100 |
| 10 | 52405 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 64/100 | 50/100 |
| 11 | 51555 | Missouri Valley | IA | 63/100 | 46/100 |
| 12 | 52759 | Montpelier | IA | 63/100 | 53/100 |
| 13 | 50128 | Jamaica | IA | 62/100 | 32/100 |
| 14 | 52312 | Morley | IA | 62/100 | 67/100 |
| 15 | 52077 | Volga | IA | 61/100 | 65/100 |
| 16 | 52344 | Troy Mills | IA | 61/100 | 53/100 |
| 17 | 52404 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 61/100 | 50/100 |
| 18 | 52588 | Selma | IA | 61/100 | 53/100 |
| 19 | 52646 | Oakville | IA | 61/100 | 58/100 |
| 20 | 52728 | Buffalo | IA | 61/100 | 57/100 |
| 21 | 51540 | Hastings | IA | 60/100 | 47/100 |
| 22 | 51561 | Pacific Junction | IA | 60/100 | 56/100 |
| 23 | 52341 | Toddville | IA | 60/100 | 66/100 |
| 24 | 52403 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 60/100 | 55/100 |
| 25 | 50562 | Mallard | IA | 59/100 | 46/100 |
| 26 | 50032 | Berwick | IA | 58/100 | 70/100 |
| 27 | 50660 | New Hartford | IA | 58/100 | 58/100 |
| 28 | 50158 | Marshalltown | IA | 57/100 | 47/100 |
| 29 | 50552 | Knierim | IA | 57/100 | 60/100 |
| 30 | 52168 | Spillville | IA | 57/100 | 68/100 |
| 31 | 52301 | Marengo | IA | 57/100 | 50/100 |
| 32 | 52761 | Muscatine | IA | 57/100 | 54/100 |
| 33 | 50636 | Greene | IA | 56/100 | 59/100 |
| 34 | 51545 | Little Sioux | IA | 56/100 | 65/100 |
| 35 | 51640 | Hamburg | IA | 56/100 | 60/100 |
| 36 | 51648 | Percival | IA | 56/100 | 40/100 |
| 37 | 52048 | Garber | IA | 56/100 | 53/100 |
| 38 | 52554 | Eldon | IA | 56/100 | 62/100 |
| 39 | 52720 | Atalissa | IA | 56/100 | 65/100 |
| 40 | 52803 | Davenport | IA | 56/100 | 44/100 |
| 41 | 50112 | Grinnell | IA | 55/100 | 36/100 |
| 42 | 50312 | Des Moines | IA | 55/100 | 51/100 |
| 43 | 50313 | Des Moines | IA | 55/100 | 56/100 |
| 44 | 50464 | Plymouth | IA | 55/100 | 61/100 |
| 45 | 50535 | Early | IA | 55/100 | 60/100 |
| 46 | 50611 | Bristow | IA | 55/100 | 55/100 |
| 47 | 50619 | Clarksville | IA | 55/100 | 65/100 |
| 48 | 50853 | Massena | IA | 55/100 | 60/100 |
| 49 | 51526 | Crescent | IA | 55/100 | 58/100 |
| 50 | 51535 | Griswold | IA | 55/100 | 61/100 |
| 51 | 52154 | Lawler | IA | 55/100 | 64/100 |
| 52 | 52362 | Wyoming | IA | 55/100 | 60/100 |
| 53 | 52756 | Long Grove | IA | 55/100 | 57/100 |
| 54 | 52766 | Nichols | IA | 55/100 | 45/100 |
| 55 | 50541 | Gilmore City | IA | 54/100 | 65/100 |
| 56 | 50650 | Lamont | IA | 54/100 | 49/100 |
| 57 | 52043 | Elkader | IA | 54/100 | 59/100 |
| 58 | 52246 | Iowa City | IA | 54/100 | 46/100 |
| 59 | 52251 | Ladora | IA | 54/100 | 42/100 |
| 60 | 52313 | Mount Auburn | IA | 54/100 | 70/100 |
| 61 | 52320 | Olin | IA | 54/100 | 65/100 |
| 62 | 52722 | Bettendorf | IA | 54/100 | 43/100 |
| 63 | 50066 | Dawson | IA | 53/100 | 45/100 |
| 64 | 50135 | Kellogg | IA | 53/100 | 70/100 |
| 65 | 50651 | La Porte City | IA | 53/100 | 60/100 |
| 66 | 51523 | Blencoe | IA | 53/100 | 70/100 |
| 67 | 50206 | New Providence | IA | 52/100 | 62/100 |
| 68 | 50470 | Rowan | IA | 52/100 | 62/100 |
| 69 | 50551 | Jolley | IA | 52/100 | 66/100 |
| 70 | 51001 | Akron | IA | 52/100 | 63/100 |
| 71 | 51532 | Elliott | IA | 52/100 | 54/100 |
| 72 | 51533 | Emerson | IA | 52/100 | 65/100 |
| 73 | 52205 | Anamosa | IA | 52/100 | 61/100 |
| 74 | 52241 | Coralville | IA | 52/100 | 52/100 |
| 75 | 52323 | Oxford Junction | IA | 52/100 | 70/100 |
| 76 | 52653 | Wapello | IA | 52/100 | 59/100 |
| 77 | 52768 | Princeton | IA | 52/100 | 64/100 |
| 78 | 50010 | Ames | IA | 51/100 | 58/100 |
| 79 | 50029 | Bayard | IA | 51/100 | 52/100 |
| 80 | 50144 | Leon | IA | 51/100 | 60/100 |
| 81 | 50274 | Wiota | IA | 51/100 | 59/100 |
| 82 | 50317 | Des Moines | IA | 51/100 | 56/100 |
| 83 | 50616 | Charles City | IA | 51/100 | 52/100 |
| 84 | 50626 | Dunkerton | IA | 51/100 | 59/100 |
| 85 | 51101 | Sioux City | IA | 51/100 | 70/100 |
| 86 | 51247 | Rock Valley | IA | 51/100 | 63/100 |
| 87 | 51544 | Lewis | IA | 51/100 | 65/100 |
| 88 | 52044 | Elkport | IA | 51/100 | 45/100 |
| 89 | 52164 | Randalia | IA | 51/100 | 53/100 |
| 90 | 52208 | Belle Plaine | IA | 51/100 | 44/100 |
| 91 | 52240 | Iowa City | IA | 51/100 | 46/100 |
| 92 | 52245 | Iowa City | IA | 51/100 | 51/100 |
| 93 | 52309 | Monmouth | IA | 51/100 | 70/100 |
| 94 | 52358 | West Branch | IA | 51/100 | 58/100 |
| 95 | 50161 | Maxwell | IA | 50/100 | 64/100 |
| 96 | 50314 | Des Moines | IA | 50/100 | 61/100 |
| 97 | 50472 | Saint Ansgar | IA | 50/100 | 69/100 |
| 98 | 50484 | Woden | IA | 50/100 | 61/100 |
| 99 | 50625 | Dumont | IA | 50/100 | 70/100 |
| 100 | 50631 | Frederika | IA | 50/100 | 53/100 |
Methodology
The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?
This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.
What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?
Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.
Explore More Rankings
- Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Most EPA Violations in Iowa
- Lowest Home Safety Scores in Iowa
- Safest ZIP Codes in Iowa — Highest Safety Scores
- ZIP Codes with Highest Flood Risk in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Highest Energy Costs in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with PFAS Detections in Iowa
- Least Reliable Water Systems in Iowa
- Environmental Justice Concern Areas in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in Iowa
- Safest ZIP Codes for Gas & CO Risk in Iowa
- ZIP Codes with Worst Wildfire Smoke Risk in Iowa
- Safest ZIP Codes for Wildfire Smoke in Iowa
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