Bettendorf is a small city of 38,997 in Iowa, with a median household income of $100,570
and a 2.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Bettendorf stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Bettendorf is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Bettendorf city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.3
Bettendorf's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Bettendorf costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Bettendorf, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$273,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,060
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
75.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$100,570
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Bettendorf's violent crime rate is 104.7 per 100,000 residents
— 72% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
104.7 /100k
Property Crime
867.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Bettendorf is served primarily by Pleasant Valley Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.0:1
.
Metric
Bettendorf, IA
National Avg
School District
Pleasant Valley Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.0:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
51.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
97.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Bettendorf sees average highs of 30.5°F in January
and 85.0°F in July,
with 37.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 36.1 inches of snow per year.
Bettendorf's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Bettendorf roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $273,600 and median rent is $1,060/month.
Bettendorf's violent crime rate is 104.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 867.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Bettendorf are operated by Pleasant Valley Comm School District.
The district has 6 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.0:1. 51.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bettendorf, IA has a population of 38,997, a median household income of $100,570, and an unemployment rate of 2.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Bettendorf averages 30.5°F in January and 85.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 37.5 inches
with about 36.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Bettendorf, IA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 52722.
The population of Bettendorf, Iowa is 38,997 with a median age of 39.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Bettendorf: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $273,600, median household income $100,570, crime index 33 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Bettendorf side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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