City profile
Iowa City, IA
UNESCO City of Literature with University of Iowa Health Care and a walkable downtown.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
21°F
Summer avg
75°F
Sunny days / yr
195
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$330,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,328
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
98
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.43%
- State income tax (top)
- 3.8%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 6.94%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 87/100
Top hazards: Strong wind, Tornado, Hail
Nearest major airport
110 mi to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 68% Democratic / 30% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
75,752
Growth since 2019
+1.1%
Median age
26.2
Residents 65+
13.1%
Median household income
$58,546
Income growth since 2019
+19.3%
Black household income
$40,005
Home ownership
47.2%
Poverty rate
26.3%
Poverty rate, 65+
7.6%
Race & ethnicity: Black 9.4% · White 70.4% · Hispanic 8.1% · Asian 7.1% · Other 5.1%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
257 · 22% below the national average
Property crime
1,606 · about the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Iowa City Police Department. State average: violent 238, property 1,205.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home insurance premiums are rising quickly here
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hail, derechos
Highlights
- University of Iowa Health Care
- Walkable downtown
- Rich literary culture
Trade-offs
- Cold winters
- Small airport
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.