Cost of Living in Iowa City, IA
| Cost of Living in Iowa City, IA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 7% higher | 21% lower |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 4% lower | 14% lower |
| Food | 1% lower | 3% lower |
| Healthcare | 1% lower | 6% lower |
| Transportation | 5% higher | 4% higher |
| Goods & Services | 6% higher | 1% higher |
The cost of living in Iowa City, IA is 4% higher than the state average and 7% lower than the national average. Iowa City, IA housing is 21% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 14% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 3% cheaper in Iowa City, IA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 1% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 6% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 1% pricier in Iowa City, IA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Iowa City is $1,509, while home prices circle around $439,840.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Iowa City, energy bills cost around $182.59 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.83 in Iowa City, a dozen eggs go for around $3.51 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.08.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Iowa City, an optometry check-up costs around $232.38, while a dentist appointment is priced $94.53 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $2.72 in Iowa City, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $81.89.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $46.08 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $34.54.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Iowa City, you should budget around $12.96 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $33.00, while dry cleaning costs about $15.55.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Iowa City, the median household income is $58,546.