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	52404	Cedar Rapids	IA	62/100	50/100
14	52646	Oakville	IA	62/100	58/100
15	52759	Montpelier	IA	62/100	53/100
16	52077	Volga	IA	61/100	65/100
17	52344	Troy Mills	IA	61/100	53/100
18	52403	Cedar Rapids	IA	61/100	55/100
19	52588	Selma	IA	61/100	53/100
20	51540	Hastings	IA	60/100	47/100
21	51561	Pacific Junction	IA	60/100	56/100
22	52341	Toddville	IA	60/100	66/100
23	52728	Buffalo	IA	60/100	57/100
24	50660	New Hartford	IA	59/100	58/100
25	51648	Percival	IA	59/100	40/100
26	50158	Marshalltown	IA	57/100	47/100
27	50552	Knierim	IA	57/100	60/100
28	50562	Mallard	IA	57/100	46/100
29	52168	Spillville	IA	57/100	68/100
30	52301	Marengo	IA	57/100	50/100
31	52720	Atalissa	IA	57/100	65/100
32	52761	Muscatine	IA	57/100	54/100
33	50032	Berwick	IA	56/100	70/100
34	50619	Clarksville	IA	56/100	65/100
35	50636	Greene	IA	56/100	59/100
36	51545	Little Sioux	IA	56/100	65/100
37	51640	Hamburg	IA	56/100	60/100
38	52048	Garber	IA	56/100	53/100
39	52554	Eldon	IA	56/100	62/100
40	50112	Grinnell	IA	55/100	36/100
41	50464	Plymouth	IA	55/100	61/100
42	50535	Early	IA	55/100	60/100
43	50611	Bristow	IA	55/100	55/100
44	50853	Massena	IA	55/100	60/100
45	51526	Crescent	IA	55/100	58/100
46	51535	Griswold	IA	55/100	61/100
47	52154	Lawler	IA	55/100	64/100
48	52313	Mount Auburn	IA	55/100	70/100
49	52362	Wyoming	IA	55/100	60/100
50	52766	Nichols	IA	55/100	45/100
51	52803	Davenport	IA	55/100	44/100
52	50312	Des Moines	IA	54/100	51/100
53	50541	Gilmore City	IA	54/100	65/100
54	50650	Lamont	IA	54/100	49/100
55	52043	Elkader	IA	54/100	59/100
56	52246	Iowa City	IA	54/100	46/100
57	52251	Ladora	IA	54/100	42/100
58	52320	Olin	IA	54/100	65/100
59	52756	Long Grove	IA	54/100	57/100
60	50066	Dawson	IA	53/100	45/100
61	50135	Kellogg	IA	53/100	70/100
62	50313	Des Moines	IA	53/100	56/100
63	50651	La Porte City	IA	53/100	60/100
64	51523	Blencoe	IA	53/100	70/100
65	52241	Coralville	IA	53/100	52/100
66	52722	Bettendorf	IA	53/100	43/100
67	50206	New Providence	IA	52/100	62/100
68	50470	Rowan	IA	52/100	62/100
69	51001	Akron	IA	52/100	63/100
70	51532	Elliott	IA	52/100	54/100
71	51533	Emerson	IA	52/100	65/100
72	52205	Anamosa	IA	52/100	61/100
73	52323	Oxford Junction	IA	52/100	70/100
74	52653	Wapello	IA	52/100	59/100
75	52768	Princeton	IA	52/100	64/100
76	50010	Ames	IA	51/100	58/100
77	50029	Bayard	IA	51/100	52/100
78	50144	Leon	IA	51/100	60/100
79	50274	Wiota	IA	51/100	59/100
80	50616	Charles City	IA	51/100	52/100
81	50626	Dunkerton	IA	51/100	59/100
82	50675	Traer	IA	51/100	68/100
83	51247	Rock Valley	IA	51/100	63/100
84	51544	Lewis	IA	51/100	65/100
85	52044	Elkport	IA	51/100	45/100
86	52164	Randalia	IA	51/100	53/100
87	52208	Belle Plaine	IA	51/100	44/100
88	52240	Iowa City	IA	51/100	46/100
89	52245	Iowa City	IA	51/100	51/100
90	52309	Monmouth	IA	51/100	70/100
91	52358	West Branch	IA	51/100	58/100
92	50317	Des Moines	IA	50/100	56/100
93	50472	Saint Ansgar	IA	50/100	69/100
94	50484	Woden	IA	50/100	61/100
95	50625	Dumont	IA	50/100	70/100
96	50631	Frederika	IA	50/100	53/100
97	50854	Mount Ayr	IA	50/100	62/100
98	51016	Correctionville	IA	50/100	65/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. 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.