Retiring in Ankeny, IA

Retirement city profile: climate, cost of living, healthcare, safety and more

84°/15°

Climate (Summer/Winter)

$340,427

Housing (Typical Value)

169.8

Safety (Violent Crime/100,000)

3 of 5

Healthcare (Hospital Rating)

Is Ankeny Right for Your Retirement?

With a reported population of 70,542, Ankeny offers a smaller-city setting for retirement planning. This profile brings its climate, housing, reported crime, healthcare access, walkability and natural hazard exposure into one view so you can evaluate the tradeoffs.

Potential Strengths

Mild summers
Lower violent crime
Lower property crime
Moderate city size
Low hurricane risk
Low wildfire risk
Low earthquake risk

Potential Tradeoffs

Elevated tornado risk
Elevated ice storms risk

Potential advantages. The average June through August high is 84°F. The reported violent crime rate is 169.8 per 100,000, 53% below the 359.1 per 100,000 US median. The reported property crime rate is 1032 per 100,000, 41% below the 1760.1 per 100,000 US median. FEMA and NOAA assign lower risk designations to hurricane, wildfire and earthquake.

Potential tradeoffs. FEMA and NOAA assign elevated risk designations to tornado and ice storms.

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Climate

Summer high (Jun-Aug avg)84°F

Winter low (Dec-Feb avg)15°F

Annual snowfall24.7"

Annual precipitation37"

Housing & Cost of Living

Typical home value (ZHVI)$340,427near the US median of $371,774

Median gross rent$1,279/monear the US median of $1,400/mo

Safety (Reported Crime)

Violent crime rate169.8 /100,00053% below the 359.1 /100,000 US median

Property crime rate1032 /100,00041% below the 1760.1 /100,000 US median

Motor vehicle theft rate86.2 /100,000

Healthcare Access

Nearest hospitalBroadlawns Medical Center (7.8 mi)

Hospital quality★★★☆☆ (3 of 5)

Primary care accessStrong (1,073 residents/physician)

Walkability

EPA Walkability Index9.7/20 (Below Average)

Population & City Size

Population70,542Classified as a smaller city

Elevation977 ft

Natural Disaster Risk

Riverine floodingRelatively Moderate

Coastal floodingN/A

TornadoRelatively High

HurricaneVery Low

WildfireVery Low

EarthquakeRelatively Low

Ice stormsRelatively High

TsunamiN/A

Sources & Freshness

Crime: FBI UCR/NIBRS · Climate: NOAA Climate Normals · Natural disaster risk: FEMA National Risk Index & NOAA · Hospital location & distance: HIFLD · Hospital quality rating: CMS Hospital Compare · Primary care access: HRSA county-level provider data · Home value: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) · Rent: Census ACS place-level data · Population & elevation: US Census Bureau · Walkability: EPA National Walkability Index.
National median/average figures used for comparison (home value, rent, crime, precipitation) are recalculated annually from the same source datasets above.
Data last refreshed: August 2026.
Figures are comparative indicators and may not reflect neighborhood-level conditions. Confirm current housing, healthcare and hazard information with the cited sources before making a relocation decision.

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