Davenport, Iowa, lands among the Top 100 best places to live in America due to its affordability.
Who doesn’t want a more affordable place to live, especially when it also offers history and charm?
If living in the heart of the northern United States in a town known as an All-Star Community and America’s Great Place sounds intriguing and worth exploring, then read on.
Of course, like any city, it has its potential downside.
Before visiting or deciding to move here, let’s look at the pros and cons of living in Davenport, Iowa.
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Pros of Living in Davenport, Iowa
One of the best perks of the area is the low cost of living.
The city sits along the banks of the Mississippi River in Scott County in a state otherwise mostly filled with corn and farms.
Davenport is one of four hub spots in the Quad City region now of five cities, including Davenport, Bettendorf, Iowa, Moline, East Moline, and Rock Island, Illinois.
This River town also ranked the best Midwest city for Millennials.
Let’s look at some of the additional pros of living in Davenport.
1. Low Cost of Living
The cost of living in Davenport falls well below the national average, which means house prices also tend to cost less.
According to Sperling’s Best Places, based on a scale of 100, Davenport ranks 78.5, making the city more affordable than the entire state of Iowa.
With this low cost of living, you will find a lot of houses for your money and land in some friendly and very safe neighborhoods for a lot less than elsewhere in the United States.
2. Bicycle Friendly City
The Iowa city is working to provide dedicated bicycle and shared vehicle lanes throughout Davenport.
In the meantime, riders choose any or all of the many bike paths and trails in Davenport.
According to All Trails, Davenport offers paths for road and mountain bikes.
Enjoy scenic views along the river or a 14-mile paved path to ride through Duck Creek Trail.
For a shorter ride, hop on your two-wheeler and head to Dan Sherman Trail for a 2.2-mile paved ride.
3. Short Commute
If a short commute to and from work appeals to you, Davenport is the place to live.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average commute time is about 20 minutes to and from work.
While there are plenty of places to work in Davenport, some residents travel within the Quad City region to find employment.
Most residents travel by car, but there is also limited public transport or carpooling as an option.
4. Steady Job Market
Davenport offers a wide array of job opportunities and tends to stay around the national average for the unemployment rate.
The city hosts several industries offering a variety of options where locals work.
Some of the top employers in the area include:
- Amazon
- John Deere
- Von Maur
- Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors
- Packaging Technologies
- Per Mar Security and Research
- River Valley Cooperative
- Genesis Health System
- Gierke Robinson Company
- Lee Enterprises
5. Changing Seasons
If you like changing seasons with crisp falls that turn into snowy winters, blossoming springs, and summer, you’ll love this northern midwest town.
While many think of Iowa as cold, its weather is about the national average in terms of temperature.
Davenport residents experience an average temperature of about 51 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.
Many enjoy the changing seasons, with temperatures ranging from a low of about 15 degrees Fahrenheit to a heat wave of about 82 degrees in the summer.
6. Live Music Scene
You may find yourself surprised to learn that a city in a state filled with farms has a vibrant live music scene.
Perhaps the river first brought diverse cultural music experiences to the area from New Orleans or down from Minnesota, but many musical venues keep it alive.
Enjoy music year-round from outdoor concert venues and festivals to the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, or enjoy local bands at the Racoon Motel.
7. Access to High-Level Education
Palmer College of Chiropractic continues the legacy of the first adjustment performed in the United States in Davenport in 1895.
Attend St. Ambrose University located in Davenport to attain a Bachelor’s degree.
Explore higher learning at several colleges and universities in or near the city.
Travel about 30 miles northeast to attend Clinton Community College to acquire an associate degree.
Or, go to an Eastern Iowan Community College.
Before the upper-level education, Davenport offers 83 schools from preschool to high school.
Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf, and Assumption High School offer a quality education.
8. River City
Historically, rivers brought progressive changes to the ports along the way.
While the river occasionally brings flooding, it’s mostly a perk for any city.
Ships visit to keep the industry thriving.
River cruise ships sail away from the docks for entertainment.
Davenport’s riverfront offers a beautiful backdrop for recreation, parks, and other scenic outdoor events.
Cons of Living in Davenport, IA
Of course, no city is a 100 percent perfect fit for everyone.
Davenport has its share of downsides, especially with its high crime rate scaring off some.
Let’s talk about a few of the cons of living in Davenport.
1. High Crime Rate
The state’s third largest city, Davenport, has a higher-than-average crime rate.
Their crime statistics rank the city higher than 96% of all other neighborhoods in the nation.
In other words, the crime index is safer than only four percent of neighborhoods in other cities.
The city has a crime rate of 42.79 per 1,000 people.
The chance you will become a victim of a crime is 1 in 22.
The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 151.
Please remember there are plenty of safe neighborhoods in Davenport.
However, when journeying into higher crime districts, use caution and always be aware of your surroundings.
2. No Major League Sports Team
If you live to cheer on your local Major League team, you will have to travel out of Davenport to find one.
The closest the city comes is The Quad Cities River Bandits Midwest minor league baseball team.
It may be second to best, but come cheer on this minor league team at Modern Woodmen Park.
If you like hockey, the city hosts the Quad City Mallards.
The Quad Cities Riverhawks serves as the area basketball team.
However, you won’t find a Major League team nearby.
3. Cold Winters, Hot Summers
While Davenport offers changing seasons, which many people enjoy, the nearby river creates a lot of humidity.
The region has a humid continental climate with humidity averaging between 71 and 83 percent.
High humidity means winter can get brutally cold and snowy, and summers feel hot and humid.
With higher-than-average humidity levels all year, this forms a recipe for snow and ice when the temperatures start to dip.
The excess moisture in the air also traps the heat, making it feel hotter in the summer.
4. Limited Big City Perks
While many love Davenport because it’s not a huge city, there are some drawbacks when it comes to the conveniences of other large towns.
You’ll find a few nationwide stores, like Dillards.
Also, Amazon recently opened a warehouse in the area.
But, you will have to drive quite a ways to find big name-brand stores or other conveniences that most other mid-sized or large cities offer.
5. Culinary Scene
When considering dining out in this northern midwestern city, forget about Tavern on the Green style dining.
Instead, think about sitting down at a diner counter.
While you will find a diverse culinary scene in Davenport, and food trucks have tried to change it up, locals and tourists describe it as lacking or rustic.
If you’re looking for exotic culinary tastes, you will not find it in this Quad city.
6. Politics
The entire state takes politics seriously, and debates often turn personal and heated quickly.
Iowa prides itself as the first state to hold presidential caucuses every four years.
If you are not political or prefer not to get involved with the opposing party, the political atmosphere will be tough to endure.
Davenport tends to lean Democrat with their vote, with mostly those in the Democrat Party holding office.
Although, some elections fall almost equally divided among party lines.
Often, the heated political environment becomes overwhelmingly intense.
7. Industry
Davenport is a city of industry, which may sound like a perk if your job is in one of the many industries that call Davenport home.
However, it also creates environmental issues due to a dense population.
Some parts of the city tend to stay unkept at best.
Some of the waterways have clean-up efforts underway due to extreme pollution.
8. Poverty Rate
The low cost of living is a necessary blessing in the area since Davenport holds a higher-than-average poverty rate.
According to the United States Bureau of Statistics, as of 2021, 16.5% of Davenport residents lived at or below the poverty level.
The numbers add up to a 32.7% higher poverty rate than the rest of the state of Iowa.
Pros and Cons of Living in Davenport, IA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Davenport, Iowa | Cons of Living in Davenport, IA |
|---|---|
| 1. Low Cost of Living | 1. High Crime Rate |
| 2. Bicycle Friendly City | 2. No Major League Sports Team |
| 3. Short Commute | 3. Cold Winters, Hot Summers |
| 4. Steady Job Market | 4. Limited Big City Perks |
| 5. Changing Seasons | 5. Culinary Scene |
| 6. Live Music Scene | 6. Politics |
| 7. Access to High-Level Education | 7. Industry |
| 8. River City | 8. Poverty Rate |
Davenport Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Davenport Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davenport a good place to live with a family?
Yes.
The city offers a touch of a small-town atmosphere in a mid-sized city setting.
You will find affordable housing and top-notch schools in Davenport, Iowa.
What taxes will I pay if I live in Davenport?
You will pay property taxes collected in two equal installments twice a year.
Local sales tax is 7 percent in the state.
Income is taxed in increments based on the amount, with the first $1,1743 taxed at .33% up to 8.53% for incomes over $78,435.
Food, prescription drugs, diapers, and some feminine hygiene products are exempt from sales tax.
Is Davenport a safe place to live?
Yes and no.
While residents find plenty of safe neighborhoods to choose from, Davenport has a higher-than-average crime rate.
Are there any good colleges in Davenport?
Yes.
You will find St. Ambrose University which offers Bachelor’s degrees as well as a college of chiropractic.
If you want your Associate degree, attend a local community college.
Otherwise, find several high-quality universities located within 200 miles of the city.
Is Davenport a good city for retirement?
Yes, if you don’t mind the cold winters.
The low cost of living in Iowa makes retiring there practical.
However, Davenport, Iowa, consists of a significant up-and-coming Millennial crowd and not as many elderly.
Choose from several senior living and retirement communities in Davenport.
Ridgecrest Village Community was voted the best retirement community since 1966 in the area.
The roads in Davenport Iowa are the worst. I don’t know where our tax dollars are going. It’s a disgrace. I live in Davenport and I would NOT recommend living here. I’m embarrassed to say I live here. I have a family member that is now in Florida and every time they return here they are horrified at how run down this town has become. To much emphasis is put on the river front tourism and not on the people who actually live here. I will eventually be moving from this city as soon as it financially possible.