Iowa City, Iowa
Among the top 23% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 22% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 42% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade F, better than 8% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 77% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 62% of US places
- top 7% for commute time
- top 7% for walkability
- bottom 2% for air quality
Iowa City is a mid-size city in Iowa with about 75,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and F for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include commute time, walkability, and park & nature access. It rates lower on airport distance and air quality.
Official websiteicgov.org (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
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comf.
warm
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cool
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80%56%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.4 in1.2 in
humid 90%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$55k37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$45kbetter than 61% of US places
Home Value$257k72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 35% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 27% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.76%better than 16% of US places
Income Tax6.00%better than 29% of US places
Sales Tax6.94%better than 68% of US places
Estimated total tax burden16.53%better than 13% of US places
Unemployment4.8%better than 41% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)23°F16th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)76°F49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation35.7 in33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall27.5 inbetter than 36% of US places
Sunny Days245 daysbetter than 63% of US places
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 41% of US places
Comfortable Days79 daysbetter than 42% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk76.9better than 32% of US places
Air Quality56 AQIbetter than 2% of US places
School Quality57.7better than 49% of US places
Violent Crime1172/100kbetter than 28% of US places
Property Crime1555/100kbetter than 29% of US places
Community
Population74,87898th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age26.04th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4174th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9851st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+445th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)73.2%34th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)8.4%82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)6.7%64th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)7.8%94th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.9%61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time18 minbetter than 93% of US places
Walkability12.2/20better than 93% of US places
Airport Distance189 mibetter than 10% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access87.6%better than 55% of US places
Amenities Nearby33.79better than 31% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 86% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Iowa City an affordable place to live?
- Iowa City is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $45k, better than 61% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Iowa City?
- The median home value in Iowa City is $257k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Iowa City?
- Median household income in Iowa City is $55k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Iowa City?
- Median gross rent in Iowa City is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Iowa City safe?
- Iowa City is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1172/100k (better than 28%). Property crime is 1555/100k.
- What is the weather like in Iowa City?
- Iowa City averages 76°F in July and 23°F in January, with 35.7 in of annual precipitation and about 245 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Iowa City?
- Public-school quality in Iowa City is about average, scoring better than 49% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Iowa City?
- The average one-way commute in Iowa City is 18 min.
Places near Iowa City
Compare Iowa City
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)