Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Iowa City, IA

    Is Iowa City a good place to live?

    Watch Iowa City

    Iowa City ranks #11 of 19 Iowa cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (44/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.5% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $273,600
    +6.6% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,094
    per month
    Household income
    $57,533
    median
    Unemployment
    4.2%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Iowa City

    The median home value in Iowa City is $273,600 and median rent is $1,094 a month, against a median household income of $57,533. Homes cost about 4.8× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Iowa City crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Iowa the 2025 rate was 238 violent and 1,205 property crimes per 100,000 people — #40 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Iowa City, IA

    Iowa City has about 75,264 residents, 4.2% unemployment and 31% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Iowa City with

    Iowa City vs Des MoinesIowa City vs Cedar RapidsIowa City vs DavenportIowa City vs Sioux CityIowa City vs AnkenyIowa City vs West Des MoinesIowa City vs WaterlooIowa City vs Ames

    More: Where to move in Iowa · Best counties in Iowa

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report