Iowa City, IA Cost of Living


24 Reviews



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Iowa City cost of living score
89.6
Less expensive
10.4% lower
than the US average
11.9% higher
than the Iowa average
Iowa City, Iowa gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 89.6, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 10.4% lower than the U.S. average and 11.9% lower than the average for Iowa.

Iowa City, IA

Housing costs in Iowa City?
A typical home costs $265,800, which is 21.4% less expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 36.4% more expensive than the average Iowa home, at $194,900. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Iowa City costs $1,150 per month, which is 19.6% cheaper than the national average of $1,430 and 19.1% more than the state average of $930.

Can I afford Iowa City?
To live comfortably in Iowa City, Iowa, a minimum annual income of $50,760 for a family, and $37,600 for a single person is recommended.

What does A.I. say about Iowa City?
Iowa City, Iowa has a cost of living index rating slightly higher than that if the nation at 101 due largely to housing expenses making up 41%, transportation at 10%, groceries (11%), utilities (7%) and healthcare making up 8%. Although utility costs remain relatively high due largely to expensive power sources such as coal or nuclear energy most other categories are either on par or even below average providing citizens with an overall moderate cost of living compared with almost anywhere else in America.
   Cost of living score
     CategoriesIowa CityIowaUnited States
  89.680.1100.0
  99.794.4100
  104.0108.2100.0
  78.755.4100.0
  $265,800$194,900$338,100
  93.9%98.5%100.0%
  68.571.4100.0
  117.696.3100.0

   100=National Average

   Average Rent by Bedroom Size
Reviews for Iowa City
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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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