2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Iowa City, IA vs Chapel Hill, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chapel Hill or is it cheaper to live in Iowa City?
- Chapel Hill is 20.3% more expensive than Iowa City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chapel Hill or Iowa City?
- Chapel Hill housing costs are 100.1% more expensive than Iowa City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Iowa City or is Health Care more affordable in Chapel Hill.
- Health related expenses are 1.4% less in Chapel Hill.
 Iowa City, IAChapel Hill, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock107.8100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.5100
 Housing78.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$550,100$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock82.6100
 Miscellaneous117.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Iowa City    24 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I was there 5 years. Nothing to do but we’ll go shopping... at Walmart. It lacks so many things. There is no experience here, it jumps on any political band wagon and  More

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Over 5 years ago

Entertainment lacks greatly - especially the Hancher shows. I was hoping after they rebuilt they would be getting better shows there, that didn't happen. One has to  More

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Over 7 years ago

Iowa City is great. It's diverse and never boring. There always a variety of new shops and restaurants to explore and try out. Also watching college kids do stupid  More

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Reviews for Chapel Hill    16 Reviews

Between my wife and I, we've lived in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and it's Chapel Hill we prefer. Franklin Street is always lively with an eclectic mix of  More

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I am not sure if Bert has actually been to the Triangle, but for starters, Durham, as Chapel Hill residents know and envy, is and has been for 5 yrs now a vibrant  More

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someone told me they live in the hills/mountains right near chapel hill, and the summers are much cooler there, while the town itself is easily accessible. is this  More

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