2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Iowa City, IA vs Palo Alto, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Palo Alto older or younger than people in Iowa City?
- The Median Age in Palo Alto is 15.7 years older than in Iowa City.

Are housing costs cheaper in Palo Alto or Iowa City?
- Palo Alto housing costs are 1,069.1% more expensive than Iowa City housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Palo Alto or Iowa City?
- The average commute for residents of Palo Alto is 7.2 minutes longer than it is for residents of Iowa City.

Things to do in Iowa City?
Iowa City, Iowa is a vibrant city located in the Midwestern United States. Home to attractions such as The University of Iowa and The Old Capitol Museum, visitors can explore outdoor activities and historical sites when visiting Iowa City. There are also plenty of museums, galleries, and performance venues such as The Kalona Historical Village and Studio Arts. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music clubs. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Iowa City has something for everyone!

Things to do in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto, California is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley. Home to Stanford University and various tech giants such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, it has long been known as the epicenter for cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking. Residents here enjoy warm weather year round, excellent public schools, a thriving nightlife scene, plus vast amounts of green space perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding. There's also no shortage of culture with world class museums and galleries showcasing some of the area’s most celebrated artworks. With its abundant resources and booming economy, Palo Alto truly offers something for everyone!

 Iowa City, IAPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock68,624329,725,481
 Median Income$51,925  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock41.838.4
 Avg. Home Price$265,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.5%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.05  Unlock26.38
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Iowa City

Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palo Alto


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.