2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Iowa City, IA vs Waltham, MA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Waltham or is it cheaper to live in Iowa City?
- Waltham is 61.5% more expensive than Iowa City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Waltham or Iowa City?
- Waltham housing costs are 207.6% more expensive than Iowa City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Iowa City or is Health Care more affordable in Waltham.
- Health related expenses are 14.2% less in Waltham.
 Iowa City, IAWaltham, MAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock144.7100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.2100
 Housing78.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$681,600$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock94.4100
 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 Waltham    2 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

My husband and I moved from west of Worcester to Waltham a few months ago and are really enjoying life here. We're situated in an apartment close to Moody Street and  More

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Waltham is home to two well respected colleges/universities: Bentley and Brandeis. That, however, is not all. For within half an hour or so, by commuter train or car,  More

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