2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Vail, CO vs Iowa City, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa City or is it cheaper to live in Vail?
- Iowa City is 41.6% less expensive than Vail.

Which city has more affordable housing, Iowa City or Vail?
- Iowa City housing costs are 79.9% less expensive than Vail housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Vail or is Health Care more affordable in Iowa City.
- Health related expenses are 26.4% more in Iowa City.
 Vail, COIowa City, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock89.6100
 Food & Groceries109.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock104.0100
 Housing392.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$265,800$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.5100
 Miscellaneous154.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Vail    5 Reviews

Over 18 years ago

Vail..pros/ cons Pros 1. beautiful town 2. very low crime Cons 1. Ungodly expensive and that's an understatement 2. unless you are rich and beautiful, this isn't  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

Vail is beautiful year round. Fabulous skiing, hiking, fishing, shopping, restaurants, etc. However, the price you pay to live in a resort town is extremely high cost  More

   |    Reply

Over 20 years ago

Vail is very different that other areas of the U.S. I have lived in Seattle, Los Angeles, Orange County, Austin TX, Monterey CA... and it is another world here. World  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Vail

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


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.