Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Iowa — 2026

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	71/100
Median value	38/100
State	Iowa

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Purchase Risk	Safety Score
1	52801	Davenport	IA	71/100	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	50501	Fort Dodge	IA	66/100	35/100
7	50557	Lehigh	IA	66/100	44/100
8	51451	Lanesboro	IA	66/100	50/100
9	52802	Davenport	IA	66/100	44/100
10	52405	Cedar Rapids	IA	64/100	50/100
11	51555	Missouri Valley	IA	63/100	46/100
12	50128	Jamaica	IA	62/100	32/100
13	52312	Morley	IA	62/100	67/100
14	52404	Cedar Rapids	IA	62/100	50/100
15	52646	Oakville	IA	62/100	58/100
16	52759	Montpelier	IA	62/100	53/100
17	52077	Volga	IA	61/100	65/100
18	52344	Troy Mills	IA	61/100	53/100
19	52403	Cedar Rapids	IA	61/100	55/100
20	52588	Selma	IA	61/100	53/100
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	52728	Buffalo	IA	60/100	57/100
25	50660	New Hartford	IA	59/100	58/100
26	51648	Percival	IA	59/100	40/100
27	50158	Marshalltown	IA	57/100	47/100
28	50552	Knierim	IA	57/100	60/100
29	50562	Mallard	IA	57/100	46/100
30	52168	Spillville	IA	57/100	68/100
31	52301	Marengo	IA	57/100	50/100
32	52720	Atalissa	IA	57/100	65/100
33	52761	Muscatine	IA	57/100	54/100
34	50032	Berwick	IA	56/100	70/100
35	50619	Clarksville	IA	56/100	65/100
36	50636	Greene	IA	56/100	59/100
37	51545	Little Sioux	IA	56/100	65/100
38	51640	Hamburg	IA	56/100	60/100
39	52048	Garber	IA	56/100	53/100
40	52554	Eldon	IA	56/100	62/100
41	50112	Grinnell	IA	55/100	36/100
42	50464	Plymouth	IA	55/100	61/100
43	50535	Early	IA	55/100	60/100
44	50611	Bristow	IA	55/100	55/100
45	50853	Massena	IA	55/100	60/100
46	51526	Crescent	IA	55/100	58/100
47	51535	Griswold	IA	55/100	61/100
48	52154	Lawler	IA	55/100	64/100
49	52313	Mount Auburn	IA	55/100	70/100
50	52362	Wyoming	IA	55/100	60/100
51	52766	Nichols	IA	55/100	45/100
52	52803	Davenport	IA	55/100	44/100
53	50312	Des Moines	IA	54/100	51/100
54	50541	Gilmore City	IA	54/100	65/100
55	50650	Lamont	IA	54/100	49/100
56	52043	Elkader	IA	54/100	59/100
57	52246	Iowa City	IA	54/100	46/100
58	52251	Ladora	IA	54/100	42/100
59	52320	Olin	IA	54/100	65/100
60	52756	Long Grove	IA	54/100	57/100
61	50066	Dawson	IA	53/100	45/100
62	50135	Kellogg	IA	53/100	70/100
63	50313	Des Moines	IA	53/100	56/100
64	50651	La Porte City	IA	53/100	60/100
65	51523	Blencoe	IA	53/100	70/100
66	52241	Coralville	IA	53/100	52/100
67	52722	Bettendorf	IA	53/100	43/100
68	50206	New Providence	IA	52/100	62/100
69	50470	Rowan	IA	52/100	62/100
70	50551	Jolley	IA	52/100	66/100
71	51001	Akron	IA	52/100	63/100
72	51532	Elliott	IA	52/100	54/100
73	51533	Emerson	IA	52/100	65/100
74	52205	Anamosa	IA	52/100	61/100
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	50616	Charles City	IA	51/100	52/100
83	50626	Dunkerton	IA	51/100	59/100
84	50675	Traer	IA	51/100	68/100
85	51247	Rock Valley	IA	51/100	63/100
86	51544	Lewis	IA	51/100	65/100
87	52044	Elkport	IA	51/100	45/100
88	52164	Randalia	IA	51/100	53/100
89	52208	Belle Plaine	IA	51/100	44/100
90	52240	Iowa City	IA	51/100	46/100
91	52245	Iowa City	IA	51/100	51/100
92	52309	Monmouth	IA	51/100	70/100
93	52358	West Branch	IA	51/100	58/100
94	50317	Des Moines	IA	50/100	56/100
95	50472	Saint Ansgar	IA	50/100	69/100
96	50484	Woden	IA	50/100	61/100
97	50625	Dumont	IA	50/100	70/100
98	50631	Frederika	IA	50/100	53/100
99	50854	Mount Ayr	IA	50/100	62/100
100	51016	Correctionville	IA	50/100	65/100

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: 2026-04-13.

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.