The Hawkeye State, in plain English
Iowa's rules, checked and explained
Plain answers for Iowa: the best of the Hawkeye State, plus the money, legal and health rules that shape everyday life here.
- Sources cited on every page
- Updated November 13, 2026
- No paid rankings
Iowa by the numbers
Figures checked October 25, 2026 against state sources. Tap one for the full guide and citations.
Latest guides
Written for people who live here, with the law and the numbers cited.
Iowa Eviction Process: The 3-Day Notice to Pay, a Hearing Within 8 Days, and a 20-Day Appeal
How a residential eviction works in Iowa: the 3-day notice for unpaid rent, the 7-day notice for other lease violations, 30-day notices for month-to-month tenancies, the forcible entry and detainer hearing the court sets within 8 days, what happens after judgment, and the rules on lockouts, retaliation, late fees and deposits.
FitnessFree Ways to Work Out in Iowa: No-Fee State Parks, the 25-Mile High Trestle Trail and $2 Rec Centers in Des Moines
Iowa doesn't charge an entrance fee at its state parks, and the last two pilot fees for out-of-state cars ended in 2025. The 25-mile High Trestle Trail from Ankeny to Woodward and its 13-story bridge, Des Moines rec centers at $2 a day for adults and free for anyone under 19, Ames weight room visit packs, and how much activity to aim for.
MoneyIowa Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25, a $4.35 Tipped Wage and $6.35 for the First 90 Days
Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, and cities and counties can't set a higher one. How the 40% tip credit works out to a $4.35 cash wage, the $6.35 rate for a new hire's first 90 calendar days, the $300,000 small business exemption, and how to file a wage claim with the state within a year.
Best of Iowa
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Every number on BestIowa links to the law, the agency or the official report it came from. Best-of lists come from our own visits, and no business can pay to be on one.
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