What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Burlington, IA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Burlington is a city in Des Moines County, Iowa, with an estimated population of 23,637. The median home value in Burlington is $125,109 as of 2026-04, up 0.5% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +2.0% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. The composite momentum score is 55 of 100 (Stable). Conditions are neither hot nor cold, so the local fit matters more than market timing.
Sideways market (+0.5% YoY). No urgency to time the macro trend — focus on the home and neighborhood.
Reasons people move here
- Held the highs: currently -0.5% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
- Cheap entry point: $125,109 median home is well below the US median of $355k — room to grow without overpaying.
Things to know first
- Flat or shrinking population: -0.4% per year. Housing demand has to come from somewhere — verify the source.
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
More about Burlington
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.