Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Ottumwa, IA

    Is Ottumwa a good place to live?

    Watch Ottumwa

    Ottumwa ranks #8 of 19 Iowa cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (54/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population fell 0.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $92,400
    +4.1% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $956
    per month
    Household income
    $56,994
    median
    Unemployment
    3.7%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Ottumwa

    The median home value in Ottumwa is $92,400 and median rent is $956 a month, against a median household income of $56,994. Homes cost about 1.6× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Ottumwa crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Iowa the 2025 rate was 238 violent and 1,205 property crimes per 100,000 people — #40 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Ottumwa, IA

    Ottumwa has about 25,352 residents, 3.7% unemployment and 12% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Ottumwa with

    Ottumwa vs Des MoinesOttumwa vs Cedar RapidsOttumwa vs DavenportOttumwa vs Sioux CityOttumwa vs Iowa CityOttumwa vs AnkenyOttumwa vs West Des MoinesOttumwa vs Waterloo

    More: Where to move in Iowa · Best counties in Iowa

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report