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Quality of Life in Bettendorf, IA
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
1% above national average
The Real Cost of Living in Bettendorf, IA for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $18k | $34k |
| Comfortable | $57k | $84k |
| Luxury | $186k+ | $288k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $218k+ | $339k+ |
122%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
7 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
10 within 20 miles
Airport
ORD — O'Hare International
Post Office
USPS — Bettendorf, IA
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Bettendorf, Iowa, presents a quality of life defined by upper-middle-class stability, strong public schools, and a family-oriented suburban rhythm that attracts professionals and executives from the Quad Cities metro area. With a cost-of-living index of 101—essentially on par with the national average—residents enjoy a notably higher standard of living than the index suggests, thanks to median home values of $295,600 and median rents of $1,148 that undercut comparable suburbs in Illinois and larger Midwestern metros. The typical commute of just 19 minutes reinforces the area’s appeal for those who want proximity to regional employment hubs without sacrificing quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods.
How Bettendorf’s cost of living and housing compare to Davenport and Moline
Bettendorf’s housing market sits at a premium relative to neighboring Davenport and Moline, yet remains affordable by national standards. The median home value of $295,600 is roughly 15–20% higher than Davenport’s median, reflecting Bettendorf’s reputation for newer subdivisions, larger lots, and top-rated school districts. Renters face a median of $1,148 per month, which is about $100–150 more than comparable units across the Mississippi in Moline, Illinois. Property taxes in Iowa are moderate—around 1.5% of assessed value—and the overall cost-of-living index of 101 means everyday expenses like groceries and healthcare track closely with the U.S. average. For a household earning the regional median income of roughly $80,000, the housing cost burden is manageable, typically consuming 25–28% of gross income. This balance makes Bettendorf a cost-effective alternative to larger Midwestern suburbs like Naperville, Illinois, or Overland Park, Kansas, where home values often exceed $400,000.
Schools, parks, and the daily rhythm of life in Bettendorf
Daily life in Bettendorf revolves around the Bettendorf Community School District, which consistently earns GreatSchools ratings of 8–9 out of 10 across its elementary, middle, and high schools. The district’s graduation rate hovers above 95%, and its proximity to Scott Community College and St. Ambrose University in Davenport provides clear postsecondary pathways. Beyond academics, the city maintains over 30 parks, including the 50-acre Crow Creek Park with its disc golf course, splash pad, and sports fields. The Mississippi River Trail runs through Bettendorf, offering a paved 10-mile route for cycling and walking that connects to downtown Davenport. Retail and dining cluster along Middle Road and U.S. Route 67, anchored by the NorthPark Mall and a mix of national chains and local spots like Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano. The 19-minute average commute means most residents can reach major employers—such as John Deere’s corporate headquarters in Moline, Genesis Health System in Davenport, or the Rock Island Arsenal—in under 25 minutes, leaving ample evening time for youth sports, library programs, or riverfront recreation.
Bettendorf is best suited for families and mid-career professionals who prioritize school quality, short commutes, and a low-crime environment over urban nightlife or extreme affordability. Empty-nesters and retirees also find the city appealing due to its walkable medical facilities, active senior centers, and proximity to the Quad Cities International Airport. Those seeking a dense, walkable downtown with frequent events may prefer Davenport’s Village of East Davenport or Moline’s downtown core, but for a quiet, well-maintained suburb with strong public services and predictable growth, Bettendorf remains the Quad Cities’ premier residential choice.
Crime in Bettendorf, IA
Lower crime rates than 90% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Bettendorf, Iowa, is statistically one of the safest cities in the Quad Cities metro area, with violent crime rates well below both state and national averages. However, property crime remains a notable concern, and the broader context of progressive criminal justice policies in the region warrants careful consideration for potential movers. The city's overall safety profile is strong, but residents should remain vigilant against property theft and understand how local and county-level prosecutorial philosophies can impact public safety.
Crime in context
Bettendorf's violent crime rate stands at 93.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is dramatically lower than the national average of roughly 380 per 100,000 and significantly below the Iowa state average of about 280 per 100,000. This places Bettendorf among the safest communities in the state for violent offenses like murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crime, however, is more prevalent at 709.8 per 100,000 residents. While this is below the national average of approximately 1,950 per 100,000, it is slightly above the Iowa state average of around 680 per 100,000. The primary driver of property crime in Bettendorf is larceny-theft, often from vehicles and retail establishments along the Utica Ridge Road and Middle Road commercial corridors.
What residents experience
For the average Bettendorf resident, the risk of being a victim of a violent crime is very low. Most violent incidents are isolated and often involve individuals who know each other, rather than random attacks on the public. The more common experience is dealing with property crime, particularly theft from unlocked cars, package theft from porches, and occasional burglaries. Residents in neighborhoods near the Mississippi River or adjacent to busy commercial areas report higher instances of these property crimes. A significant factor for readers to consider is the criminal justice philosophy in Scott County, where Bettendorf is located. Scott County has a history of electing progressive district attorneys who prioritize diversion programs and reduced sentencing for non-violent and even some violent offenders. This approach, while intended to reduce incarceration, can lead to repeat offenders cycling back onto the streets more quickly, directly impacting property crime rates and public confidence in the justice system. Residents often express frustration that the consequences for theft and vandalism are not severe enough to deter criminal behavior.
Neighborhood-level variation
Safety in Bettendorf is not uniform. The city's eastern and southern neighborhoods, particularly those with higher home values and lower population density like the areas around Crow Creek Park and the private golf clubs, experience the lowest crime rates. In contrast, neighborhoods closer to the I-74 corridor and the commercial hub near the NorthPark Mall see elevated property crime. The city's western edge, bordering Davenport, can also see spillover crime from that larger, higher-crime city. Overall, Bettendorf's violent crime rate is roughly one-quarter the national average, but its property crime rate, while still below the national figure, is a persistent issue exacerbated by a regional justice system that many residents feel is too lenient. For families and retirees seeking a safe environment, Bettendorf is a strong choice, but awareness of the local prosecutorial climate is essential for a complete picture.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-30T03:07:05.000Z
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