Bettendorf 81 Exceptional
Bettendorf Livability #73 ranked city in Iowa#1,579 ranked city in the USARanks better than 94% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Bettendorf

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

What's it like Living in Bettendorf?

Bettendorf is a medium-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 37,477 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Bettendorf is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Bettendorf is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Bettendorf could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Iowa if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. With useful information like crime, cost of living, commute, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Bettendorf and in the areas around Bettendorf is a much easier task.

Bettendorf has a livability score of 79/100 and is ranked #79 in Iowa and #1,837 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Bettendorf could be a great choice! Bettendorf has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Bettendorf ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B), education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (A+). Bettendorf does not rank well for the following: amenities (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Bettendorf, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 105 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

The unemployment rate in Bettendorf has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.9%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Bettendorf schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 82%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Bettendorf an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Bettendorf excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Bettendorf real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Bettendorf. Median real estate prices in Bettendorf come in at $422,469, which is 76% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Bettendorf, the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 10% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Bettendorf

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Compare Bettendorf, IA Livability

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      Bettendorf transportation information

      Statistic Bettendorf Iowa National
      Average one way commute19min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work87.6%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.4%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.4%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Bettendorf, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.