2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Iowa City, IA vs Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or is it cheaper to live in Iowa City?
- Des Moines is 3.3% less expensive than Iowa City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Des Moines or Iowa City?
- Des Moines housing costs are 26.6% less expensive than Iowa City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Iowa City or is Health Care more affordable in Des Moines.
- Health related expenses are 1.5% less in Des Moines.
 Iowa City, IADes Moines, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock86.6100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.4100
 Housing78.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$175,700$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock74.7100
 Miscellaneous117.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Iowa City    24 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I was there 5 years. Nothing to do but we’ll go shopping... at Walmart. It lacks so many things. There is no experience here, it jumps on any political band wagon and  More

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Over 5 years ago

Entertainment lacks greatly - especially the Hancher shows. I was hoping after they rebuilt they would be getting better shows there, that didn't happen. One has to  More

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Over 7 years ago

Iowa City is great. It's diverse and never boring. There always a variety of new shops and restaurants to explore and try out. Also watching college kids do stupid  More

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Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

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Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

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Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

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