CostByCity

Des Moines, IA vs Iowa City, IA

Cost of Living Comparison

Iowa City, IA is more affordable by 0.2 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryDes Moines, IAIowa City, IADifference
Overall91.791.5+0.2
Housing84.784.0+0.8
Goods93.793.70.0
Utilities84.683.7+0.9
Other Services92.992.90.0

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricDes Moines, IAIowa City, IA
Median Household Income$81,103$72,680
Median Home Value$235,800$265,500
Median Monthly Rent$1,063$1,057
Per Capita Income$42,742$41,313

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Des Moines, IA or Iowa City, IA cheaper to live in?
Iowa City, IA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 0.2 index points (Des Moines, IA: 91.7, Iowa City, IA: 91.5).
Where is housing cheaper, Des Moines, IA or Iowa City, IA?
Housing is more affordable in Iowa City, IA. Housing index: Des Moines, IA (84.7) vs Iowa City, IA (84.0).