Other senior care options in Iowa:

Best Assisted Living in Iowa

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 333 assisted living communities in Iowa using Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in IA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
333 homes
Other senior care options in Iowa:
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: 71The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Iowa. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around Iowa

The information below is reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing.

Oaknoll Retirement Residence
AL
IL
NH
Iowa City (Roosevelt)
70
Facility 70
IA AVG 71
Rank #156 / 407
No
33
Facility 33
IA AVG 45
Rank #344 / 528
Private Rooms
49
Facility 49
IA AVG 19
Rank #13 / 282
81.4%
Facility 81.4%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #111 / 379
-12
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #57 / 348
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #250 / 348
Mill Pond
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Ankeny
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 71
Rank #214 / 407
Yes
16
Facility 16
IA AVG 45
Rank #439 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
23
Facility 23
IA AVG 19
Rank #107 / 282
98.3%
Facility 98.3%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #14 / 379
-16
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 7
Rank #158 / 348
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #250 / 348
Green Hills Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Ames (Hamilton Drive)
56
Facility 56
IA AVG 71
Rank #234 / 407
Yes
18
Facility 18
IA AVG 45
Rank #430 / 528
1 Bed / 2 Bed
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 19
Rank #24 / 282
78.6%
Facility 78.6%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #130 / 379
-11
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #57 / 348
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #298 / 348
Friendship Village
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Waterloo
72
Facility 72
IA AVG 71
Rank #143 / 407
No
52
Facility 52
IA AVG 45
Rank #202 / 528
2 Bed / 3 Bed
50
Facility 50
IA AVG 19
Rank #8 / 282
91.7%
Facility 91.7%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #50 / 379
-17
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 7
Rank #1 / 348
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #298 / 348
Maple Ridge Assisted Living
AL
NH
Mt Ayr (Mount Ayr)
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 71
Rank #398 / 407
No
13
Facility 13
IA AVG 45
Rank #452 / 528
Private / Shared Rooms
24
Facility 24
IA AVG 19
Rank #98 / 282
--7
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #31 / 348
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #1 / 348
Cedar Ridge Village
AL
IL
NH
SNF
West Des Moines (Heritage Bend)
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #325 / 407
Yes
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 45
Rank #488 / 528
1 Bed / 2 Bed
8
Facility 8
IA AVG 19
Rank #202 / 282
95.0%
Facility 95.0%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #24 / 379
A+15
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #93 / 348
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #250 / 348
The Views of Marion
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Marion
60
Facility 60
IA AVG 71
Rank #214 / 407
No
37
Facility 37
IA AVG 45
Rank #315 / 528
Private Rooms
7
Facility 7
IA AVG 19
Rank #211 / 282
48.3%
Facility 48.3%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #282 / 379
-4
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #31 / 348
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #1 / 348
Calvin Community
AL
NH
IL
MC
Des Moines (Beaverdale)
59
Facility 59
IA AVG 71
Rank #226 / 407
No
61
Facility 61
IA AVG 45
Rank #145 / 528
1 Bed / 2 Bed
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 19
Rank #268 / 282
93.2%
Facility 93.2%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #42 / 379
-17
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #57 / 348
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #298 / 348
Independence Village of Waukee
AL
NH
IL
MC
SNF
Waukee
34
Facility 34
IA AVG 71
Rank #373 / 407
Yes
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 45
Rank #305 / 528
1 Bed / 2 Bed
15
Facility 15
IA AVG 19
Rank #164 / 282
41.2%
Facility 41.2%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #332 / 379
-12
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #57 / 348
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #298 / 348
Corridor Crossing Place
AL
MC
RESC
RC
Cedar Rapids (Southwest Area)
61
Facility 61
IA AVG 71
Rank #210 / 407
No
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 45
Rank #269 / 528
Private Rooms
31
Facility 31
IA AVG 19
Rank #42 / 282
--9
6
Facility 6
IA AVG 7
Rank #187 / 348
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #1 / 348
Amelia Senior Living
AL
Council Bluffs (Ferndale)
62
Facility 62
IA AVG 71
Rank #202 / 407
Yes
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 45
Rank #500 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed
31
Facility 31
IA AVG 19
Rank #42 / 282
61.3%
Facility 61.3%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #218 / 379
A+10
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 7
Rank #57 / 348
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #250 / 348
Edencrest at The Tuscany
AL
IL
MC
RC
Altoona
40
Facility 40
IA AVG 71
Rank #325 / 407
Yes
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 45
Rank #444 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
5
Facility 5
IA AVG 19
Rank #232 / 282
92.5%
Facility 92.5%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #44 / 379
-7
4
Facility 4
IA AVG 7
Rank #131 / 348
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #1 / 348
Independence Village of Ames
AL
MC
RC
Ames
30
Facility 30
IA AVG 71
Rank #390 / 407
No
51
Facility 51
IA AVG 45
Rank #213 / 528
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
25
Facility 25
IA AVG 19
Rank #87 / 282
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #1 / 379
A+21
11
Facility 11
IA AVG 7
Rank #279 / 348
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #281 / 348
Thornton Heights Assisted Living
AL
NH
Lansing (Main Street)
26
Facility 26
IA AVG 71
Rank #397 / 407
No
14
Facility 14
IA AVG 45
Rank #444 / 528
1 Bed / 2 Bed
22
Facility 22
IA AVG 19
Rank #120 / 282
--7
1
Facility 1
IA AVG 7
Rank #31 / 348
0
Facility 0
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #1 / 348
Northridge Village
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Ames (Somerset)
38
Facility 38
IA AVG 71
Rank #352 / 407
Yes
44
Facility 44
IA AVG 45
Rank #269 / 528
1 Bed / 2 Bed
10
Facility 10
IA AVG 19
Rank #189 / 282
94.7%
Facility 94.7%
IA AVG 66.2%
Rank #28 / 379
A15
3
Facility 3
IA AVG 7
Rank #93 / 348
2
Facility 2
IA AVG 0.8
Rank #281 / 348
Rows per page:
View all Nearby Homes
Overview of Rehabilitation Center of Belmond

The Rehabilitation Center of Belmond operates a 44-bed skilled nursing facility located at 1107 7th Street NE in Belmond, Iowa. Financial accounts are managed through public insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid along with private pay, providing families with multiple paths to handle medical bills. Lengths of stay average around 130 days, meaning the daily routine balances short-term recovery care for post-hospital patients with traditional extended-stay setups.

An average of 3 hours and 42 minutes of direct daily care is delivered to each resident by the hands-on nursing team. This round-the-clock staffing plan utilizes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides who work together to coordinate transitional medical recovery and routine physical wellness. The building features on-site laundry services and a private family gathering room for daily amenities, while the local neighborhood scores a 60 out of 100 for walkability, making a vehicle helpful for most out-of-town trips.

Prospective representatives can touch base with the front office to check on current bed availability, learn about the physical rehab programs, or book a time to see the family room. The administrative staff can also look over your insurance policies and explain how private payment structures operate.

Contact Rehabilitation Center of Belmond

MJ Estates

411 S. Carthage Street, Exira, IA 50076
Overview of Mj Estates

Enjoy your best years at Mj Estates, a blissful haven in Exira, IA, offering assisted living. With 37 specially designed and cozy accommodations, residents are guaranteed the utmost comfort and safety. A compassionate and well-trained team provides top-notch care tailored to their personal needs around the clock.

Residents are encouraged to make new friends and have fun with a jam-packed calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs that highlight their interests and capabilities. Delicious and well-balanced meals are also served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Medication management is also provided to ensure residents will not miss taking their medicines. The community is ideal for those seeking a blissful retirement, especially with its warm and nurturing environment.

Contact MJ Estates

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 Woodlands Creek Senior Living

Woodlands Creek’s vision is to create a warm and welcoming independent living environment where seniors feel at home, fostering meaningful relationships and endless possibilities. Their mission revolves around promoting engaging social interactions and providing personalized care to nurture a sense of belonging. Woodlands prioritizes residents’ well-being, ensuring their needs are met with compassion and respect.

Residents at Woodlands Creek enjoy a vibrant lifestyle with a range of scheduled activities for independent living seniors. The community also offers comprehensive services for assisted living and memory care residents, including transportation, access to senior physicians, and round-the-clock nursing staff, ensuring comfort and security for all residents.

 

Contact Woodlands Creek Senior Living

Overview of Senior Star at Elmore Place

As a community that strives in exceedingly making its residents comfortable, Senior Star at Elmore Place has been awarded the Best Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care by the U.S. News and World Report offers the best balance of urban living and assistance with everyday living.  Offering a range of opportunities tailor-fit for its residents, seniors can surely feel inspired in creating a better life with the continuum of care being provided. Senior Star is an elegant senior living home that aims to enhance and enrich the lives of its residents. 

As an independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term care. Their engaging activities and programs to name a few are the recreational activities, fitness activities, and entertainment programs available for residents to take part in at the library, media room, or social areas.

Contact Senior Star at Elmore Place

Overview of The Rose of Dubuque

The Rose of Dubuque in Dubuque, IA, is an affordable assisted living community that offers personal care. Featuring a variety of thoughtfully furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments in a warm and welcoming environment, the community ensures older adults can feel at home. 24-hour emergency response, laundry rooms, and assistance with daily living activities are among the high-quality services provided to improve residents’ quality of life. Alongside thoughtfully curated amenities and dedicated services, the community ensures residents live to their potential in retirement.

Arts and crafts, table games, and social events ensure residents can live actively and gain fun experiences. Walking paths, beautiful gardens, and a beauty salon are among the top-notch amenities available for residents’ leisure and wellness. Residents also have a laid-back retirement, surrounded by trees and green spaces in Dubuque. This assisted living community is a great choice for senior living in Iowa, ensuring older adults have the finest retirement experience.

Contact The Rose of Dubuque

Overview of Sunset Park Place

Sunset Park Place is an elegant home built based on its residents’ convenience and comfort. The services provided and designed in the community call on its residents to expand their vibrant social lives. Management aims to raise the standard for Dubuque’s assisted living and memory care living. Arbor View is one of the trusted homes in the city that many families have gone to because they have strived to embrace its residents to a senior lifestyle that has been reimagined.

As a proud Jaybird Senior Living community member, expect services to be delivered exceptionally, offering gracious amenities that make everyday living easier. A full-service salon and barbershop, outdoor common areas, spacious lounge areas, an elegant dining room with delicious meals served, enriching assisted living activities, and specialized memory care training offered.

Contact Sunset Park Place

Overview of Trustwell Living at Eagle Pointe Place

Trustwell Living is an assisted living community at Eagle Pointe Place that excels in delivering high-quality services at different levels of care. The person-centered community maintains elegance and professionalism for its residents, promoting mutual respect and trust and allowing them to feel empowered and comfortable in a nurturing environment. Trustwell Living inspires its seniors to continue what makes them find joy and happiness.

The vibrant home aims to enhance and enrich the experiences and lifestyle of its residents by designing specific care plans that match their interests, abilities, and needs– from specialized programs to doing arts and crafts, everything is designed to satisfy one’s holistic wellness.

Contact Trustwell Living at Eagle Pointe Place

Overview of The Rose of East Des Moines

Nestled in the serene neighborhood of Des Moines, IA, The Rose of East Des Moines is a paradisal senior living community, offering premiere assisted living services. The community provides an array of beautifully designed one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with large windows for plenty of natural light and convenient access to medical facilities, restaurants, hotels, shopping, and entertainment venues. Residents feel safe and secure with round the clock emergency response systems and a dependable team available to attend to residents’ needs.

A wide selection of fun and entertaining activities tailored to residents’ various interests and passions are available to help them stay physically and mentally stimulated for maintaining their wellness. Residents also enjoy delicious, well-balanced meals served in an inviting dining room that fosters bonding and socialization. Various amenities, such as a sunroom, card & game room, cozy, reading area, and beautiful outdoor spaces are available for residents’ enjoyment.

Contact The Rose of East Des Moines

Overview of Arlington Place of Grundy Center

Arlington Place of Grundy Center is an elegant home that is built based on the convenience and comfort of its residents. The services provided and designed in the community call on its residents to expand their vibrant social lives.  Management aims to raise the standard for assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Iowa. Edencrest is one of the trusted homes in the city that many families have gone to. 
Arlington Place’s a service based on convenience and flexibility; they want their residents to do more and think less at the same time– do more of what they love, and think less of the small stressful activities like housekeeping and laundry.

Contact Arlington Place of Grundy Center

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
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today

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 333 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.