2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Iowa City, IA vs San Jose, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Jose or is it cheaper to live in Iowa City?
- San Jose is 157.8% more expensive than Iowa City.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Jose or Iowa City?
- San Jose housing costs are 444.5% more expensive than Iowa City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Iowa City or is Health Care more affordable in San Jose.
- Health related expenses are 3.6% more in San Jose.
 Iowa City, IASan Jose, CAUnited States
 Overall89.6231.0100
 Food & Groceries99.7113.7100
 Health104.0107.7100
 Housing78.7428.5100
 Median Home Cost$265,800$1,184,400$338,100
 Utilities9,390.0%9,680.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation68.5151.0100
 Miscellaneous117.6155.8100
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 4 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 4 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 6 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 San Jose    90 Reviews

I've lived in west San Jose/Cambrian, between Los Gatos and Almaden SJ since 1997. This side of town somehow avoided the erosion of the American dream. Houses are  More

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I lived in San Jose for 40 years. That’s during the most exciting time when the Silicon Valley was booming with real technology and San Jose was ranked as the safest big  More

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Over 3 years ago

I've lived in San Jose, CA for 25 years. This city is being over run with crime and gangs. The cost of living is very high. Granted, you are so close to mountains,  More

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