Find homes for sale in the Quad Cities, Iowa area and learn about the local community and real estate market.
Friendly neighbors, affordable communities, beautiful scenery, and countless ways to stay entertained are only a few of the very positive qualities associated with life in the Quad Cities, Iowa area. No matter which city you call home, you will find a mix of small-town charm and big-city amenities, here. From museums and historic landmarks to lively restaurants that set the foundation as the perfect jumping-off point for your night out on the town, the Quad Cities, IA region has something for everyone.
Continue browsing this page to see all houses for sale in the Quad Cities, Iowa area and learn more about why so many people are choosing to live and buy a home in The Quad Cities.
The Quad Cities, IA Community
Have you ever heard of a “flyover state”? Well, Iowa and Illinois have often been called this. A state that you typically “fly over” trying to get to somewhere else, but people from all over the United States are starting to realize that Iowa and Illinois have quite a bit more to offer than just views from the top. The tight-knit communities and cultural scenes that the region is composed of make it one of the nation’s best-kept secrets for residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re just visiting (or looking to relocate permanently) the Quad Cities, IA area promises there will always be a place for you.
The Iowa Quad Cities have a total of 150,000 residents. Davenport and Bettendorf together comprise 90% of the population in the community with 100,000 people living in Davenport and 35,000 people living in Bettendorf. From major urban centers to college towns and rural communities, the Quad Cities, Iowa area offers a diversity of lifestyle options, with short commutes and ease of mobility that allow residents to enjoy more of their lives outside of their cars and can enjoy an area where their dollar goes farther.
Bettendorf is located along Interstate 80 and is known for several mansions listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The growing city features scenic parks and outdoor places (check out Duck Creek Recreational Trail). In Davenport, livability assets include a vibrant downtown, riverboat cruises, blues and jazz festivals, a pedestrian Davenport Skybridge and miles and miles of bike trails.
The region is dedicated to consistently updating its infrastructure and invests in public education programs, downtown revitalization projects, and rural broadband, which makes it the perfect place to move (especially for you digital nomads out there), no matter where your job is based.
The area’s schools are also consistently ranking at the top of high school graduation rates and are very high in standardized test scores compared to the rest of the country. U.S. News & World Report ranked Iowa ninth on its Best States for Education list, noting that Iowa leads the nation in the percentage – slightly more than 90% – of students graduating from high school. New graduates and those who have been in the workforce for years can also take advantage of Iowa’s diverse economy and leading-edge industry sectors, such as biosciences, finance, insurance, advanced manufacturing, and education technology.
Communities across the Quad Cities, Iowa area have invested in their downtowns and have truly become a favorite place for young families. The region offers residents numerous benefits and compared to the rest of the United States, overall living costs are 92% of the national average, while housing costs come in at 78%. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked the state of Iowa No. 1 in 2019 on its list of Most Affordable States. The state also boasts high-quality Pre-K-12 schools, too.
Check out the video above to get a better understanding of the Quad Cities community and its lively downtown areas.
Things to Do in the Quad Cities, IA Area
Remote workers are working downtown, families are taking advantage of walkability, and with colorful and creative murals going up all over the area, people are enjoying the hub of their city, shopping, dining, and chatting with their neighbors, all with outdoor recreation in arms reach. With more than 80 state parks, five state forests, and three state wildlife areas, the Quad Cities, Iowa area has the wide-open space you’ve been craving with the balance of a well-deserved drink in the downtown city center after you’ve finished your exploring.
Summer
The Iowa Quad Cities parks range from simple playgrounds to vast fishing lakes. Davenport is home to West Lake Park, where you can rent paddle boats or fishing equipment in the summer. Along the Mississippi in Buffalo, Iowa, a sandy beach oasis awaits you at Buffalo Shores. Bettendorf maintains multiple parks along with a variety of different bike paths (the area boasts more than 1,800 miles of these) including Devils Glen Park and Crow Creek Park. Walcott has five parks with various amenities, too!
Fall
In the fall, head to Davenport, Bettendorf, LeClaire, Blue Grass, or Eldridge to explore the different library branches. As part of the RiverShare Libraries, your library card grants you access to books from multiple branches within multiple cities. Can’t find the book you need in Bettendorf, but it’s at a Davenport branch? Reserve it online and pick it up at your desired location! The fall harvest fills farmers’ markets with seasonal vegetables, flowers, pumpkins, local crafts, and sweet treats. Enjoy food trucks, local vendors, and plenty of live music and dancing at these local market events throughout the season!
Spring
World-class art museums, breweries and distilleries, and thousands of eateries await you in the Spring! No matter the season, outdoor activities are always flourishing, with options to go hiking, cycling, or boating.
Winter
Whether you’d like to ski, take a hike, explore one of many beautiful parks, snowshoe, or head to one of the many local winter events to bring in the holiday cheer, this vibrant community will welcome you with open arms (and may even give you a few tips on where to go next!).
Working in The Quad Cities, Iowa Area
One of the best places to live and work because of its low cost of living, the Quad Cities, Iowa area will have workers noticing that their income stretches further, here. Lower housing prices make moving into a dream home an attainable goal, and the region is a central location to just about everything—but these are only a few of the many key advantages of working or moving your business to the Iowa Quad Cities.
Agricultural jobs are plentiful in Iowa as well as Illinois of course, but the Quad City Iowa area boasts biotechnology, defense, advanced manufacturing, food production, energy, and logistics jobs, too. Because the Quad Cities are within such close proximity to one another, many workers choose a short commute to a wide range of different jobs and industries.
Arconic, a division of Alcoa, is located along the river between Bettendorf and LeClaire in Iowa. It employs a large percentage of Quad City residents. Alcoa invented the aluminum industry in 1888 and continues to innovate with new technologies and processes. The Rock Island Arsenal is another thriving sector that sits on the Mississippi River between Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. Home to the First Army headquarters, this 946-acre enterprise provides manufacturing, logistics, and base support services for the Armed Forces as well as a multitude of different job opportunities.
Explore Homes for Sale in the Iowa Quad Cities
Ruhl&Ruhl offers plenty of real estate options and homes for sale in the Quad Cities, IA area for you to choose from. If you need to do a little more research before buying, check out the pages below for additional real estate options:
- Houses for Rent in the Quad Cities
- Townhouses and Condos for Sale in the Quad Cities
- Open Houses in Quad Cities, Iowa
- New Listings in Quad Cities, Iowa
- Land for Sale in the Quad Cities
- Luxury Homes and Mansions for Sale in the Quad Cities
- New Construction Homes for Sale in Quad Cities
Careers at Ruhl&Ruhl
If you’re looking for new career opportunities in the Iowa area, we’re always looking for folks to join our Ruhl&Ruhl team. Check out our careers page for more information.
Are you interested in seeing a property in person? Contact the experts at Ruhl&Ruhl and let us show you around! Stop in or give us a call at:
Nearest Ruhl&Ruhl Office
4545 Welcome Way
Davenport, IA 52806
Phone Number: (563) 441-1776
Sub Communities
- Riverdale
- Durant
- Donahue
- Walcott
- Pleasant Valley Township
- LeClaire
- Eldridge
- Blue Grass
- Bettendorf
- Davenport
Iowa Quad Cities History
In 1832, Antoine LeClaire made a deal with the Native Americans in the area that is now known as LeClaire. Soon after, settlers came to the town and it thrived off the Mississippi as a river community.
In 1835, George Davenport bought land from Antoine LeClaire on the west bank of the Mississippi, and helped to form the town that would become Davenport. Scott County was then formed by an act of the Wisconsin Territorial legislature in 1837.
Blue Grass was originally on an Indian trail between the Mississippi River and the Cedar River, where grass had a bluish tint. The township was given the name “Blue Grass” when the post office was established in 1840.
In 1846, Jacob M. Eldridge moved permanently to Davenport from Philadelphia and purchased land north of Davenport from the U.S. Government. The city finally began growing in population during the 1950s, starting with the formation of the Scott County Library System in 1950, and the North Scott Community School District in 1956.
The City of Walcott was originally platted in 1854. The first passenger train route west of the Mississippi River started in 1855 and helped Walcott grow. William Walcott, who was a director of Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, donated $500 in 1855 for the construction of a school building, with the stipulation that the fledgling town be named after him.
The founders of Bettendorf originally named the town Lillienthal, after a tavern and dance hall, but merged with an adjacent village name Gilbert in 1858. Around 1900, the Bettendorf brothers took over Gilbert with their ironworks. Their business evolved into the Bettendorf Axel and Wagon Company, which subsequently became the largest railroad car shop west of the Mississippi River. In recognition of their importance, the town was incorporated as Bettendorf in 1903.
Iowa Quad Cities Community
The demand to live in the Iowa Quad Cities is high. In the past 20 years, Davenport’s population grew by 2.9%, and Bettendorf’s population grew by 7.6%. New construction homes are being built across the community to fill the need of the growing population.
The schools in the Iowa Quad Cities are a major factor in the population increase. Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf has been ranked in the top 20 in the state for its excellence. North Scott High School in Eldridge, Bettendorf High School in Bettendorf, and Assumption High School in Davenport have all won state titles in varying sports as well.
The average home in the Iowa Quad Cities is a three bedroom, two bathroom that costs about $200,000. However, the home type varies from the luxury million dollar listings of Bettendorf to the affordable bungalows of West Davenport. LeClaire and Eldridge are unique, as they contain both luxury new construction homes and affordable starter homes.
Attractions and Entertainment
Modern Woodman Park: Home to the Quad Cities River Bandits, this “ballpark meets theme park” hasn’t stopped expanding since its opening in 1931. The facility located in downtown Davenport has also hosted many concerts including Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys, and AC/DC. It features miniature amusem*nt park rides, a 110-foot ferris wheel, and a double-decker carousel for a night full of family fun. A schedule of games and events held at Modern Woodmen Park can be found here.
Village of East Davenport:Located in the heart of East Davenport along the Mississippi, the “Village” incorporates a unique blend of history, shopping, confectioneries, galleries, pubs, dining, lodging, events, celebrations and scenic parks. The Village was established in 1851, and hosts annual events like the Quad Cities Criterium and Christmas in the Village. View a list of shops in the Village here and learn more about the history here.
Downtown Davenport:Downtown is the heart and soul of Davenport, Iowa, and is a hub for entertainment, business, art and culture, shopping and civic service. Whether you’re here to live, work, or play, there’s always something to do downtown! Daytrotter, a local recording studio and music venue, is located in Downtown Davenport. Learn more about living, working, and playing in Downtown Davenport here.
Putnam:Whether you’re 2 or 92, there’s always something new to discover at the Putnam in Davenport! The Putnam is a place where people connect with history and ideas by doing, making and experiencing. Their classes and special events are a great complement to their hands-on exhibit galleries. View a calendar of events here.
Family Museum:With an emphasis on role play and interactive learning, the Family Museum in Bettendorf invites families with young children to Play and Learn Together! Their classes and special events are a great compliment to the hands-on exhibit galleries. Learn more about visiting The Family Museum here.
Isle:The Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf combines hotel, casino, restaurants, bars and entertainment in one land-based venue not far from the original riverboat casino. The Isle offers multiple dining experiences, in addition to a wide variety of entertainment every weekend. Book your trip today! The Isle is also connected to The Waterfront Convention Center, a popular place to host meetings, conventions, banquets and receptions.
Rhythm City:Great for locals and escape artists alike, Rhythm City Casino Resort is your one stop game shop! Treat yourself with all they have to offer or pick your favorite form of relaxation: gaming, dining, shopping, spa-ing, or just relaxing in their luxurious hotel rooms! Rhythm City, located in east Davenport, is also the only Quad Cities casino fully owned by Iowans.
Mississippi Valley Fair:The Mississippi Valley Fair is one of the largest celebrations in the Quad Cities, bringing in thousands of attendees at the end of each summer. From dusk to dawn, your day at the fair can start with funnel cakes and frozen lemonades, move to carnival rides like the swings, and end with a grandstand concert. The fairgrounds located in west Davenport also host many other events throughout the year.
Bix 7:This annual road race in late July attracts runners of all skills from all across the world. It begins in downtown Davenport and loops through neighborhoods like the Village of East Davenport and McClellan Heights. If you’re not up for the full seven mile course, there is also a two-mile Quick Bix option, or the Jr. Bix for kids. The race was founded in 1975 and had a field consisting of 84 runners. Today the race is often run by 12,000 to 18,000 runners.
Adler Theatre:The Adler Theatre was opened in 1931 and is now home to the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Quad City Ballet. The 2,400 seat auditorium located in downtown Davenport also hosts various concerts, performances, and plays, including Broadway at the Adler. Find more information about the events held here.
Figge:The Figge Art Museum is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building on the banks of the Mississippi in downtown Davenport, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections, and hosts world-class traveling exhibitions. Its studios, auditorium and spacious lobby are alive with art classes, lectures and special events that attract visitors of all ages.
St. Ambrose University:St. Ambrose University, located in central Davenport, was founded in 1882 as a seminary and school of commerce for young men. It has since transformed into a spirited community, known for its athletics, special events and outstanding residence halls.
Blue Grass Homecoming Days:Located in the Blue Grass Community Club Park, this annual celebration invites people from all over the community to help the town celebrate its rich history and exciting future. Activities include fun runs, food vendors, fireworks and a parade!
LeClaire Downtown:Situated along the beautiful bend on the upper Mississippi River at the intersection of I-80, the City of LeClaire offers several options for visitors and residents alike. Attractions include shopping, dining, antiques, and so much more. LeClaire also hosts several annual events, including Tug Fest, when LeClaire takes on Port Byron, Illinois for a tug of war across the river. Other area attractions include the historic River Pilot Homes and the Buffalo Bill Museum, honoring LeClaire’s most famous native, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. There’s so much to do and see in LeClaire, click here to view upcoming events.
Antique Archaeology:LeClaire, Iowa is also home to Antique Archaeology, the storefront from the History Channel show “American Pickers.” Rummage through antiques or pick up show memorabilia at this famous spot for tourists and residents alike.
Helpful Links
Quad Cities, Iowa Real Estate Links
Houses for Rent in the Quad Cities
Townhouses and Condos for Sale in the Quad Cities
Open Houses in Quad Cities, Iowa
New Listings in Quad Cities, Iowa
Land for Sale in the Quad Cities
Luxury Homes and Mansions for Sale in the Quad Cities
New Construction Homes for Sale in Quad CitiesLinks to City Resources & Attractions
RiverShare Libraries
Modern Woodman Park
Village of East Davenport
Downtown Davenport
Putnam
Family Museum
IsleRhythm City
Mississippi Valley Fair
Bix 7
Adler Theatre
Figge
St. Ambrose University
LeClaire Downtown
Antique Archaeology