salaryIowa City is the 5th-largest city in Iowa that we track, with 75,752 residents. Rent is lower than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.3 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 60.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,720 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 64 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Iowa City?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Iowa City
| Size | Iowa City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,095 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $983 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,239 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,743 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,940 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Iowa City overall?
Everyday prices in the Iowa City metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Iowa City
Life in Iowa City
What jobs pay in Iowa City
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | 11.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | 11.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | 12.3% |
| Lawyer | $127,210 | 12.4% |
| Software Developer | $107,680 | 14.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,020 | 17.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | 17.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $85,940 | 18.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $82,040 | 19.3% |
| Operations Manager | $81,120 | 19.5% |
| Police Officer | $76,190 | 20.8% |
| Accountant | $75,100 | 21.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $64,440 | 24.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,790 | 24.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,690 | 24.8% |
| Truck Driver | $61,960 | 25.5% |
| Plumber | $61,350 | 25.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,870 | 26.0% |
| Electrician | $59,510 | 26.6% |
| Firefighter | $50,600 | 31.3% |
| Carpenter | $49,680 | 31.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,550 | 36.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,340 | 37.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,330 | 40.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,060 | 41.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,910 | 44.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,940 | 52.8% |
| Cashier | $29,080 | 54.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $22,030 | 71.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Iowa City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $666 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $285,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,590 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Iowa City, IA?
Renting in Iowa City costs a median of about $1,318 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Iowa City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,720 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Iowa City cheap or expensive?
Iowa City is rated OK: rent takes 25.0% of the typical household income of $63,142. It ranks 64th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Iowa City?
The median homeowner in Iowa City pays $4,838 a year in property taxes, about 1.69% of the median home value.
Is Iowa City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Iowa City?
The median home value in Iowa City is $285,900, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
75,752 people live in Iowa City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.