Last Updated: October 2026

🏆 Top 25 Nursing Homes in Iowa

View our comprehensive rankings of the highest quality facilities in Iowa, based on CMS data, staffing, safety, and quality measures.

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Iowa at a Glance

1,169
Total Facilities
3.0
Average Rating
0.75
Avg RN Hours/Day
44.6%
Avg Turnover Rate

CMS Star Rating Distribution

(5-Star)
221
18.9%
(4-Star)
187
16.0%
(3-Star)
190
16.3%
(2-Star)
181
15.5%
(1-Star)
214
18.3%

About Nursing Homes in Iowa

Iowa has 1,169 Medicare-certified nursing homes with an average quality rating of 3.0 stars. 221 facilities (18.9%) earn the top five-star rating, above the national average of 18.9%. Facilities in Iowa average 0.75 RN hours per resident per day, exceeding the national average of 0.64 hours.

Staff turnover averages 44.6% across Iowa facilities, below the national average of 46.8%. Lower turnover rates are associated with better continuity of care and higher quality ratings.

All nursing homes in Iowa are regulated by state and federal agencies, undergo regular CMS inspections, and must meet federal quality standards. Use our search tool to compare facilities based on Medicare ratings, staffing levels, quality measures, and safety records.

Nursing Home Costs in Iowa

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Statewide Average

Nursing home costs in Iowa average $294-$318 per day ($8,820-$9,540/month) for skilled nursing care, which is 7% below the national median according to the 2024 Genworth Cost of Care Survey.

Most facilities accept Medicare for short-term rehabilitation (up to 100 days), private insurance, and Medicaid for eligible residents.

Cost Variation by Metro Area

We have city-level cost data for 8 metro areas in Iowa. Costs can vary significantly by location:

Ames
$315-$315/day ($9,450-$9,450/month)
Cedar Rapids
$313-$355/day ($9,390-$10,650/month)
Davenport
$321-$369/day ($9,630-$11,070/month)
Des Moines
$305-$336/day ($9,150-$10,080/month)
Dubuque
$309-$309/day ($9,270-$9,270/month)
Iowa City
$295-$325/day ($8,850-$9,750/month)

+ 2 more metro areas with cost data

Calculate detailed costs for Iowa →

Browse by City in Iowa

View nursing homes in specific cities across Iowa. Each city page shows facilities ranked by quality.

DES MOINES
25 facilities
CEDAR RAPIDS
18 facilities
DUBUQUE
13 facilities
Des Moines
12 facilities
SIOUX CITY
12 facilities
DAVENPORT
12 facilities
MARION
12 facilities

🏆 Top 10 Nursing Homes by City

See our expert rankings of the best facilities in major cities across Iowa.

Top 10 in DES MOINESTop 10 in CEDAR RAPIDSTop 10 in DUBUQUETop 10 in Des MoinesTop 10 in SIOUX CITYTop 10 in DAVENPORTTop 10 in MARION

All Nursing Homes in Iowa

Filter and sort facilities below. Default ranking uses our composite quality score, which combines CMS ratings, staffing quality, safety records, and compliance history.

Showing 1000 of 1000 facilities in Iowa

St Francis Manor

2021 Fourth Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112

Phone: (641)236-7592

Distance: 0 miles | Beds: 78 | Est. Occupancy: 75% (~19 available)

NonprofitCMS Rating: 5/5 Stars

Iowa Veterans Home

1301 Summit, Marshalltown, IA 50158

Phone: (641)752-1501

Distance: 0 miles | Beds: 702 | Est. Occupancy: 49% (~360 available)

GovernmentCMS Rating: 5/5 Stars
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Search All Iowa Facilities

Use our advanced search to find facilities by location, ratings, and specific criteria

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How Does Iowa Compare?

Explore nursing home quality in neighboring states and regions:

🏆

National State Rankings

See where Iowa ranks among all 50 states for quality, staffing, and safety.

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👨‍⚕️

Strong RN Staffing

Iowa averages 0.75 RN hours/day, above the national average of 0.64 hours.

✓

Low Staff Turnover

Iowa's 44.6% turnover is below the national average of 46.8%.

📚 Expert Guides to Evaluating Nursing Homes

Learn how to interpret quality ratings and staffing metrics with our data-driven guides based on 14,751 facilities nationwide.

The Truth About Star Ratings

Only 18.9% of facilities earn 5 stars. Learn what ratings really mean and how to use them effectively.

Read Guide →

Understanding Staffing Levels

Iowa averages 0.75 RN hours/day. Learn what staffing metrics reveal about care quality.

Read Guide →

Facility Tour Checklist

Essential questions to ask and red flags to watch for when visiting Iowa facilities.

Read Guide →

Warning Signs of Neglect

Critical red flags that indicate neglect, abuse, or substandard care at any facility.

Read Guide →
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Decoding CMS Data

Learn how to read health inspections, quality measures, and compliance reports.

Read Guide →
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All Expert Guides

Browse our complete library of nursing home evaluation resources.

View All →