How many assisted living programs are there in Iowa?

Our Iowa directory lists 78 licensed assisted living programs across 72 cities. The largest concentrations are in Clayton County, Polk County, Guthrie County.

What is an assisted living program in Iowa?

"Assisted Living Program" is the Iowa licensing term for a residential care setting: a home where a group of older adults live and receive daily personal care. Elder group homes serve 3 to 5 residents in a home setting; assisted living programs are typically larger. Iowa also licenses homes under the term "elder group home".

How much does assisted living cost in Iowa?

The median assisted living rate in Iowa is $5,381 a month, according to the CareScout (formerly Genworth) Cost of Care Survey, 2025. Small residential homes often price below that median because they carry lower overhead, and rates rise with care needs. Ask each home for its rate sheet in writing, and use our free cost estimator for a figure based on your situation.

Who licenses assisted living programs in Iowa?

Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing licenses and inspects every assisted living program in the state. Check any home you are considering against the official state license record before you tour or sign anything. The lookup shows current license status and inspection history.

Does Medicaid pay for assisted living programs in Iowa?

Iowa's Elderly Waiver can pay for services in certified assisted living programs and elder group homes. Eligibility rules and waitlists vary, so confirm current terms with the state before you count on coverage.

Assisted Living Programs in Iowa

Iowa Assisted Living Programs Directory

78 licensed assisted living programs across 72 cities.

Iowa licenses Assisted Living Programs through the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. The state has a mix of small and large assisted living settings. Small programs with 30 or fewer beds are found primarily in smaller communities throughout the state.

See what care costs here, or learn how assisted living programs work.

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Iowa care costs at a glance

Median monthly figures for Iowa. Small residential homes often price below the assisted living median because they carry lower overhead, though rates rise with care needs. Ask any home for its rate sheet in writing.

Type of care	Median per month
Assisted living Monthly median, one resident	$5,381
In-home care Non-medical caregiver, 44 hours a week	$7,836
Nursing home Semi-private room	$9,277

Home care median is CareScout's non-medical caregiver rate at 44 hours per week.

Source: CareScout (formerly Genworth) Cost of Care Survey, 2025.

Full cost breakdown for Iowa assisted living programs →

Talk through your shortlist with an advisor

A Place For Mom connects families with local senior living advisors. The guidance is free for families; advisors are paid by the communities that participate in their network. An advisor can help you build a shortlist and schedule tours. The judging stays with you: verify any home you are considering against the state license database, whoever recommended it.

Connect with a senior living advisor at no cost to you →

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What small care homes are called in Iowa

Licensing term: assisted living program (ALP)
Related license type: elder group home
Size and capacity: Elder group homes serve 3 to 5 residents in a home setting; assisted living programs are typically larger.
Licensed and inspected by: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing

Check any home you are considering against the state license record before you tour or sign anything. The lookup shows current license status and inspection history.

Search the Iowa license database → What "Assisted living facility" means →

Does Medicaid pay in Iowa?

Iowa's Elderly Waiver can pay for services in certified assisted living programs and elder group homes.

How Medicaid covers residential care →

Common questions about assisted living programs in Iowa

How many assisted living programs are there in Iowa?: Our Iowa directory lists 78 licensed assisted living programs across 72 cities. The largest concentrations are in Clayton County, Polk County, Guthrie County.
What is an assisted living program in Iowa?: "Assisted Living Program" is the Iowa licensing term for a residential care setting: a home where a group of older adults live and receive daily personal care. Elder group homes serve 3 to 5 residents in a home setting; assisted living programs are typically larger. Iowa also licenses homes under the term "elder group home".
How much does assisted living cost in Iowa?: The median assisted living rate in Iowa is $5,381 a month, according to the CareScout (formerly Genworth) Cost of Care Survey, 2025. Small residential homes often price below that median because they carry lower overhead, and rates rise with care needs. Ask each home for its rate sheet in writing, and use our free cost estimator for a figure based on your situation.
Who licenses assisted living programs in Iowa?: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing licenses and inspects every assisted living program in the state. Check any home you are considering against the official state license record before you tour or sign anything. The lookup shows current license status and inspection history.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living programs in Iowa?: Iowa's Elderly Waiver can pay for services in certified assisted living programs and elder group homes. Eligibility rules and waitlists vary, so confirm current terms with the state before you count on coverage.

Keep looking

Largest Iowa city directories

Neighboring states

Estimate monthly costs → What assisted living programs are → All state directories →