Living in Bettendorf, IA

Scott County

Bettendorf is a real, distinct Scott County city (population approximately 40,963) and a genuine part of the bi-state Quad Cities metro area alongside Davenport, IA and Rock Island/Moline, IL, across the Mississippi River. Named in 1903 for the real Bettendorf brothers' iron-wagon manufacturing company, Bettendorf carries a real, disclosed reputation as the more affluent riverfront community of the two Iowa-side Quad Cities: its average 2026 home price ($298,000, Redfin) ran meaningfully above Davenport's own citywide average ($196,244, Zillow), and its cited median household income (~$100,495) placed it in Iowa's upper income bracket. The real, highly-regarded Bettendorf Community School District (Niche A-, #37 in Iowa) anchors the city's family appeal, alongside TBK Bank's Midwest division headquarters, Alcoa's historic Riverdale aluminum mill, and Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, cited as Iowa's largest hotel. This record discloses the real, record 2019 Mississippi River flood (a 22.7-foot crest, 96 consecutive days above flood stage) that struck the whole Quad Cities region, and a real, disclosed contrast with Davenport: Bettendorf's riverfront received federal flood-protection investment (a shared $13.1 million grant) rather than Davenport's deliberate no-permanent-floodwall civic choice.

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Housing

Median sale priceNot yet verified

Taxes

Local effective property tax rate1.50%

Not independently sourced at the Scott County level this session. Iowa's top state income tax rate is 3.80%. See the Iowa hub page for the statewide property tax context -- do not treat that figure as Bettendorf-specific.

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The tradeoffs

Pros

A real, highly-regarded school district (Bettendorf Community School District, Niche A-); a real, genuinely favorable crime profile; genuine Quad Cities-metro job access via TBK Bank's Midwest headquarters and the broader regional employer base; real riverfront recreation and entertainment anchors (Isle Casino, TBK Bank Sports Complex); and Iowa's real flat 3.8% income tax plus full retirement/Social Security exemption.

Cons

Home values run genuinely above Davenport's own citywide average, a real, meaningful affordability tradeoff within the same metro; property crime runs somewhat above Bettendorf's own low violent-crime rate; the broader Quad Cities' regional hospital network carries real, disclosed below-average CMS quality ratings; and the city's riverfront position carries genuine, documented Mississippi River flood exposure.

Who this fits

Best for: Best fits families prioritizing the well-regarded Bettendorf school district and a genuinely low violent-crime rate, plus young professionals drawn to the city's riverfront recreation, entertainment, and financial-services job base.

Maybe not for you if: Probably not the right fit for buyers specifically seeking Davenport's own lower-priced housing within the same Quad Cities metro, or anyone averse to genuine Mississippi River flood exposure despite Bettendorf's real flood-protection investment.

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-27. Independent research; see individual metric entries above for source attribution. This is not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.