Cost of Living in Iowa City, IA

An Overview of Cost of Living in Iowa City, IA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Iowa City? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Iowa City stands at 104, making it 4% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

In Iowa City, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Iowa City will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Iowa City?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 14 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Iowa City. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 36% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 64% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Iowa City Affordable?

Is Iowa City an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Iowa City is 21.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 2.8% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Iowa City has a median household income of $48,148, which is 13% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Iowa City?

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Iowa City, healthcare costs are 5.6% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Iowa City displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.