Page 11 of Best Assisted Living in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 310 assisted living communities in IA using IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in IA
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We analyzed These are the facilities in Iowa our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in Iowa.
310 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:

Compare Assisted Living around Iowa

Info below is compiled from the IA Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Inspection events categorized as complaint-related by the state regulator.
Count of incident-based investigations (e.g. reported events) in the regulatory record for the reporting period.
Addington Place of Clinton
AL
MC
Clinton
148
Facility 148
IA AVG 73
Rank #20 / 289
C-Yes
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 45
Rank #261 / 302
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 18
Rank #101 / 232
43.2%
Facility 43.2%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #201 / 259
10
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 6
Rank #214 / 265
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #180 / 265
Independence Village of Ankeny
AL
MC
Ankeny (Prairie Trail)
20
Facility 20
IA AVG 73
Rank #285 / 289
DYes
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 45
Rank #229 / 302
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 18
Rank #129 / 232
75.0%
Facility 75.0%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #101 / 259
8
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 6
Rank #203 / 265
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #210 / 265
The Heritage At Northern Hills
AL
IL
RC
Sioux City (Teton Trace)
128
Facility 128
IA AVG 73
Rank #29 / 289
D+Yes
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 45
Rank #249 / 302
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #34 / 232
45.3%
Facility 45.3%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #163 / 259
6
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 6
Rank #214 / 265
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #242 / 265
Bickford of Davenport
AL
MC
Davenport
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 73
Rank #188 / 289
DYes
58
Facility 58
IA AVG 45
Rank #92 / 302
Private Rooms
27
Facility 27
IA AVG 18
Rank #34 / 232
54.9%
Facility 54.9%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #180 / 259
10
9
Facility 9
IA AVG 6
Rank #203 / 265
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #256 / 265
Elm Crest Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Harlan
64
Facility 64
IA AVG 73
Rank #140 / 289
-No
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 45
Rank #125 / 302
-
32
Facility 32
IA AVG 18
Rank #22 / 232
39.1%
Facility 39.1%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #225 / 259
3
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #188 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Meth Wick Health Center
AL
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Cedar Rapids (Oakhill Jackson)
69
Facility 69
IA AVG 73
Rank #123 / 289
-No
79
Facility 79
IA AVG 45
Rank #27 / 302
--
88.4%
Facility 88.4%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #35 / 259
15
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #58 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Homestead of Albia
AL
Albia
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 73
Rank #115 / 289
-Yes
55
Facility 55
IA AVG 45
Rank #102 / 302
-
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 18
Rank #134 / 232
44.3%
Facility 44.3%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #203 / 259
6
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 6
Rank #161 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
River Valley Place of Ottumwa
AL
MC
RC
Ottumwa
100
Facility 100
IA AVG 73
Rank #56 / 289
-Yes
77
Facility 77
IA AVG 45
Rank #34 / 302
-
19
Facility 19
IA AVG 18
Rank #101 / 232
30.0% 9
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 6
Rank #252 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Meadowview of Clive
AL
IL
MC
Clive
164
Facility 164
IA AVG 73
Rank #13 / 289
-Yes
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 45
Rank #224 / 302
-
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 18
Rank #207 / 232
42.1%
Facility 42.1%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #246 / 259
3
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265
Better Living of Walcott
AL
IL
MC
RC
Walcott
67
Facility 67
IA AVG 73
Rank #134 / 289
-No
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 45
Rank #169 / 302
-
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 18
Rank #168 / 232
34.3%
Facility 34.3%
IA AVG 61.5%
Rank #240 / 259
4
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 6
Rank #35 / 265
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.9
Rank #1 / 265

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each assisted living community is ranked against every other IA assisted living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 310 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of Addington Place of Clinton

Tucked away within the serene setting of Clinton, IA, Addington Place of Clinton is a blissful senior living community, offering assisted living and memory care services. The community offers residents with various apartment options, including one-bedroom, two bedroom apartments, and suite floor plans for a comfortable living experience. Ensuring residents live balanced, active, and happy lives, the community provides them with extensive support and care services provided by trained healthcare professionals.

The community also offers respite care services to residents dealing with illnesses or recovering from hospitalization or surgery, ensuring they have the care and support they need to get back on their feet. Residents also enjoy a full calendar of social events and activities to enrich their daily life. With its comprehensive services, vibrant programming, and nurturing environment, the community guarantees a comfortable retirement experience.

Contact Addington Place of Clinton

Overview of Independence Village of Ankeny

Operating for 14 years, Independence Village of Ankeny is a small assisted living and memory care community in the Prairie Trail neighborhood of Ankeny, Iowa. About 2.3 miles from the city center, and with 20 beds arranged in a two-story building, the home offers an intimate residential setting where each occupant can receive personalized attention. The facility provides flexible housing options in studios and one and two-bedroom units, letting families select the layout that best suits their loved one’s preferences and lifestyle needs. It maintains a steady 70 percent occupancy rate, with 14 residents currently living on-site. This smaller scale fosters closer staff-resident relationships and a calmer environment versus larger communities, which captivates families wanting a more homely ambiance.

The neighborhood’s Walk Score is 25, so the location is somewhat walkable, with a few nearby services reachable on foot, though most errands need transportation. This setting suits residents and families who prefer a more serene and residential area. Independence Village’s approach encourages occupants to maintain independence wherever possible, helping them feel empowered and engaged with their surroundings. The pet-friendly community welcomes cats and dogs into spacious units, a major benefit for residents who find companionship and comfort in animals. Dining is chef-prepared with resident choice and attention to dietary restrictions, ensuring nutrition and enjoyment at each meal. Daily life includes activities tailored to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit, like movie nights and wellness events spanning manicures and mimosas. The facility provides 24-hour care and response services, 24/7 assistance with medication and mobility for occupants managing memory loss, and executive director Sydney Petersen’s personalized support.

A Better Business Bureau rating of A+ mirrors Independence Village of Ankeny’s business practices and complaint history.

Contact Independence Village of Ankeny

Overview of The Heritage at Northern Hills

The Heritage at Northern Hills sits on the north side of Sioux City, in the Teton Trace neighborhood of Woodbury County, at 4002 Teton Trace. It’s a two-story, 128-bed community that’s been open for 26 years, offering independent living, assisted living, and respite care under one administrator, Christy Nikkel. The neighborhood is car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 18: most errands mean getting in a car rather than walking down the block.

Inside, residents choose from studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts. Right now 63 of the community’s 128 beds are filled, putting occupancy at 49 percent, well below full capacity. Care comes from a team that includes a registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, and certified medication aides, with support available around the clock.

Daily life includes a movie theater, a game room, a salon and barbershop, and a café, plus a restaurant-style dining room for meals. Transportation services help residents get to appointments or run errands without needing a car of their own. Pets are welcome here, so a move doesn’t have to mean parting with a dog or cat.

Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing reviews long-term care communities like this one for health and safety compliance. At The Heritage at Northern Hills, the themes that have come up in that process include medication management, staffing and staff credentials, and care planning and documentation.

With a mix of independent living, assisted living, and respite options in one place, this is a community built for families who want room to shift the level of care as needs change, without having to relocate to a different facility altogether.

Contact The Heritage At Northern Hills

Overview of Bickford of Davenport

A beautiful senior living community that offers exquisite living options such as for residents of assisted living and memory care. Regardless of what kind of living option you are in, management and staff are guaranteed to provide resort-like accommodations with exceptional hospitality. The cozy home offers an environment where the holistic wellness of seniors is met. Bickford of Davenport strives to provide a comfortable lifestyle of everyday living for its assisted living seniors, making it an ideal place to call a new home. 

An assisted living with memory care community, expect that Bickford’s management promotes independence for its residents while receiving full daily support, housekeeping, transportation, and medication management.

Contact Bickford of Davenport

Overview of Elm Crest Retirement Community

Elm Crest Retirement Community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Harlan, Iowa. Independent living provides a private living arrangement with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision, and skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Several care levels are available here. That may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time and who may be able to move between types of care without leaving the community. Elm Crest has 64 beds, giving families a clear sense of its licensed capacity.

Rehabilitation therapy is available through the community’s Skilled Care and Health Center, allowing residents to receive rehabilitation services within the community’s care offerings. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, and Leah Muhlbauer serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 50 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently.

Contact Elm Crest Retirement Community

Meth Wick Health Center

1625 Brendelwood Drive, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-2499
Overview of Meth Wick Health Center

Meth Wick Health Center offers nursing home care, assisted living, independent living, memory care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Cedar Rapids’s Oakhill Jackson neighborhood. Independent living means having a private living space with community services but no daily care, while assisted living adds help with everyday tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication.

Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Respite care offers a short stay when a family caregiver needs to travel or recover.

Several care levels are available within one community. That may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because moving to another level does not require leaving the community. The community has 69 beds, and Nicholas Jedlicka serves as administrator.

Rehabilitation services are available for residents who need therapy, while Transportation Services provide transportation through the community. A Walk Score of 79 out of 100 places the area in the very walkable band, where most errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Meth Wick Health Center may be a good fit for someone who wants private independent living, needs increasing daily support, requires secured memory care, or may benefit from skilled nursing or a short respite stay.

Contact Meth Wick Health Center

Overview of Homestead of Albia

Homestead of Albia is an assisted living community in Albia, IA. Residents can receive help with daily activities such as dressing and bathing, along with medication management, while living in private apartments. Homestead of Albia has 70 beds.

Daily home-cooked meals give residents prepared food as part of the community routine, and a salon and spa are available on site. Pets are allowed, so a resident may be able to bring a pet when moving into the community. Sam Brink serves as the administrator.

A Walk Score of 55 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still handle certain nearby errands independently. Homestead of Albia may be a good fit for an older adult who needs help with daily tasks but wants a private apartment and the ability to keep a pet.

Contact Homestead of Albia

Overview of River Valley Place of Ottumwa

River Valley Place of Ottumwa offers assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Ottumwa, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision. Respite care offers a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

The combination of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, as well as a family needing short term support while a primary caregiver travels or recovers. River Valley Place of Ottumwa has 100 beds, and Shelby Frank serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 77 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Pets are allowed, enabling a resident to bring a pet when moving into the community.

Contact River Valley Place of Ottumwa

Overview of Meadowview of Clive

Meadowview of Clive offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Clive, IA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment. Independent living provides private living with community services rather than daily care, and memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone who may be at risk of wandering.

All three care levels are on one campus. That may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since the resident can move to a different level without leaving the community. With 164 beds, Meadowview of Clive is a larger community with more staff and usually more programming.

Meals are served in a restaurant format, and the fitness center gives residents an on site place to exercise. A salon and barber shop provide grooming services within the community. The courtyard patio, with its fire pit, offers an outdoor gathering space, while the movie theater gives residents a dedicated place to watch films. Activities and arts and crafts rooms provide designated areas for organized activities and creative projects. Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet to the community. Idonis Curtis serves as the administrator.

Contact Meadowview of Clive

Overview of Better Living of Walcott

Better Living of Walcott provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, and respite care in Walcott, IA. Having several care levels in one community can allow a resident whose needs grow to move to a different level without leaving the community or starting over socially.

Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Respite care offers a short stay for a resident whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, and the community may be a good fit for a family needing that temporary support.

The community has 67 beds. A Walk Score of 40 places Better Living of Walcott in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride. Taylor Thorpe serves as the administrator.

Contact Better Living of Walcott

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Iowa

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in Iowa?

Assisted living in Iowa supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Iowa?

Assisted living in Iowa is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does Iowa Medicaid cover assisted living?

Iowa Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including Iowa) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.

How many assisted living facilities are listed on this page?

This page features 310 assisted living facilities in Iowa. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right assisted living facility in Iowa?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Iowa, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting assisted living facilities in Iowa?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.

Assisted Living in Iowa at a glance

Avg Monthly Cost: $5,500The average monthly cost across facilities in Iowa. Reflects published or estimated base rates and can vary with care level, room type, and amenities. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: $5,600
Avg Walk Score: 45/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Iowa. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 73The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90