Davenport, IA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Davenport, IA: What You Need to Know

Davenport is the seat of Scott County in eastern Iowa. It’s the largest city in the six-county Quad Cities metropolitan area.

Job Opportunities

Davenport’s economy is strategically tied to Quad Cities, composed of three counties in Iowa and three counties across the state line in Illinois. About 150 companies on Fortune 500 and 1000 lists have a presence in Quad Cities. John Deere, based in Moline, Illinois, is the largest of them. Davenport’s top employers include Genesis Health Systems, Alcoa, and Tyson Fresh Meats.

Cost of Living

Davenport, with a population of 101,590, is an affordable city with a cost of living rate and food costs that are 3% and 5% lower than the national average, respectively. Housing cost is 1% higher than the national average. The median gross rent in the city is $757. Iowa’s progressive income tax rate ranges from 0.33% to 8.53%. If you’re new to Iowa, be aware that the 8.53% top rate is among the highest in the United States. The state levies 6% to 7% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Beautiful views of the Mississippi River, bike paths, and parks are among the benefits of living downtown. There’s a right housing option for every budget with over 1,500 apartment units, according to Downtown Davenport Partnership. If you prefer the suburbs, Bettendorf is just outside Davenport, although it can be an expensive place to live in. Le Claire is farther, but it’s quieter and more affordable than other communities in Quad Cities. Bettendorf and Le Claire boast of above-average schools.

Weather and Climate

Davenport gets 37 inches of rain annually, on a par with the U.S. average of 38 inches. It receives 28 inches of snow per year, the national average. However, the city is prone to flooding due to its location on the Mississippi River. The Great Flood of 1993 was among the worst. From May through September 1993, flooding occurred across nine states, including Iowa. Hundreds of levees failed along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. On the Mississippi River, bridges from Davenport to St. Louis, Missouri, were damaged severely impacting transportation. The flood caused 50 deaths and $15 billion in damages. 

Schools and Higher Education

All four-year colleges in Davenport are private schools: Saint Ambrose University (3,045 students), Augustana College (2,543 students), and Palmer College of Chiropractic (2,179 students). There are also 15 universities within 50 miles of the city. The Davenport Community School District has 30 public schools with an enrolment of 15,016 students. Blue Grass Elementary School and Central High School are among the top-ranked schools.