Iowa City

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Iowa City, IA

Area Guide

This charming riverside community is a true college town in every sense

Affordable College Town Sports Stadium Hiking Nature Outdoors Park-Like Nightlife Bicycle-Friendly

Located in central Iowa, Ames combines the energy of a college town with welcoming community spirit. As home to Iowa State University, this city of over 66,000 residents offers educational opportunities alongside comfortable living. The rental market reflects steady growth, with average rents ranging from $756 for studios to $1,792 for four-bedroom units. Campustown pulses with activity near the university, while the Downtown district features local shops and the Octagon Center for the Arts.

Outdoor recreation abounds at Brookside Park and Ada Hayden Heritage Park, where residents enjoy trails and natural wetlands. The city hosts significant research facilities, including the USDA National Animal Disease Center and the Ames Laboratory. The CyRide transit system connects major areas throughout the city, making commuting convenient for residents. Iowa State University Research Park and Reiman Gardens add to the city's appeal, with the gardens providing seasonal botanical displays throughout the year. The city's name honors Oakes Ames, a 19th-century U.S. Congressman who influenced the development of the transcontinental railroad.

Explore the City

University of Iowa students walk in front of the Old Capitol Museum at the center of campus.

The University of Iowa's homecoming parade draws hundreds of locals every year.

Houses in Iowa City are located on peaceful streets.

Rent Trends

As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in Iowa City, IA is $1,093 for a studio, $1,045 for one bedroom, $1,269 for two bedrooms, and $1,701 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Iowa City has increased by 1.9% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,045/month
636 Sq Ft
House
$2,008/month
1,273 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,325/month
1,029 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,011/month
1,563 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Iowa City, IA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Iowa City, IA is 7.1% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Iowa City is 21.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,045 - $1,701. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 14.2% less for utilities, and 4.4% more for transportation.

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Transportation

52

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

32

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

65

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Lincoln Elementary School

Public

Grades K-6

223 Students

Helen Lemme Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

391 Students

Bohumil Shimek Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

214 Students

Longfellow Elementary School

Public

Grades K-6

385 Students

Alexander Elementary

Public

Grades PK-6

345 Students

Southeast Junior High School

Public

Grades 7-8

812 Students

Iowa City High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,599 Students

West Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,503 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • UI Museum of Natural History
  • Iowa Children's Museum
  • MacBride Nature Recreation Area

Airports

  • The Eastern Iowa

Top Apartments in Iowa City

Houses for Rent in Iowa City

Property Management Companies in Iowa City, IA

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.