Economy, jobs and prices in Iowa City, Iowa: official figures
The median household income in Iowa City was $58,546 a year in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (in 2024 dollars), 126th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US median was $80,734 and the Iowa median $75,059.
What is the per capita income in Iowa City?
Income per resident (per capita income) in Iowa City averaged $37,842 a year in 2020-2024, 329th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $44,673; Iowa: $40,877).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Iowa City?
Iowa City's Gini index of household income inequality was 0.526 in 2020-2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 maximum inequality), 37th most unequal of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US figure was 0.483.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Iowa City, Iowa?
4.6% of the civilian labor force in Iowa City was unemployed on average over 2020-2024 (2,099 people), 291st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US rate in the same survey was 5.2% and Iowa's 3.6%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Iowa City have jobs?
43,145 residents of Iowa City held civilian jobs, 65.0% of those aged 16 and over (US: 59.7%), and 114 served in the armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Iowa City?
The largest industry group for working residents of Iowa City was education, health care and social assistance (43.3% of employed residents), followed by retail trade (13.1%) and arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (11.8%), 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Iowa City work in manufacturing?
Manufacturing employed 6.1% of working residents of Iowa City, 176th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 9.9%); professional, scientific and management services employed 7.4% (US: 12.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow long is the commute in Iowa City, Iowa?
Commuters in Iowa City took 17.3 minutes on average to get to work in 2020-2024, 50th shortest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 26.4 minutes); 2.2% travelled an hour or more and 45.7% less than 15 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow do people in Iowa City get to work?
12.2% of workers living in Iowa City worked from home in 2020-2024, 329th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 15.1%). 56.2% drove to work alone, 6.7% carpooled, 6.0% used public transport and 14.6% walked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Iowa City, Iowa?
The median gross rent (rent plus utilities) in Iowa City was $1,094 a month in 2020-2024, 134th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $1,413; Iowa: $972).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does a house cost in Iowa City?
Owner-occupied homes in Iowa City had a median value of $285,900 in 2020-2024 as estimated by their owners, 250th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $332,700; Iowa: $208,000).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Iowa City?
The median home value in Iowa City was 4.9 times the median household income, 377th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 4.1 times).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Iowa City have no internet?
3.7% of households in Iowa City (1,153) had no internet access at home in 2020-2024, 285th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.5%); 6.6% relied on a cellular data plan alone (US: 11.5%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Iowa City compares with other cities in the United States
Median household income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 698 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median household income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 695 | Wilmington | $58,671 |
| 696 | New Britain | $58,613 |
| 697 | Cleveland | $58,559 |
| 698 | Iowa City | $58,546 |
| 699 | Troy | $58,477 |
| 700 | Fayetteville | $58,407 |
| 701 | Schenectady | $58,399 |
Per capita income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 495 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Per capita income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 492 | Des Moines | $37,863 |
| 493 | Columbus | $37,860 |
| 494 | Albany | $37,843 |
| 495 | Iowa City | $37,842 |
| 496 | Kannapolis | $37,838 |
| 497 | Port St. Lucie | $37,828 |
| 498 | Moore | $37,779 |
Gini index of household income inequality (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 37 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini index of household income inequality |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | New Haven | 0.527 |
| 35 | Davis | 0.527 |
| 36 | Los Angeles | 0.526 |
| 37 | Iowa City | 0.526 |
| 38 | Little Rock | 0.526 |
| 39 | Dallas | 0.526 |
| 40 | Trenton | 0.525 |
Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 533 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) |
|---|---|---|
| 530 | San Marcos | 4.6% |
| 531 | Pinellas Park | 4.6% |
| 532 | Petaluma | 4.6% |
| 533 | Iowa City | 4.6% |
| 534 | Kirkland | 4.6% |
| 535 | Charlotte | 4.6% |
| 536 | Shoreline | 4.6% |
Labor force participation rate (16 and over) (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 249 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labor force participation rate (16 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| 246 | Colorado Springs | 68.4% |
| 247 | Moore | 68.4% |
| 248 | Cedar Rapids | 68.4% |
| 249 | Iowa City | 68.4% |
| 250 | Richmond | 68.3% |
| 251 | Grand Island | 68.3% |
| 252 | DeSoto | 68.3% |
Mean travel time to work (minutes) (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 774 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean travel time to work (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 771 | College Station | 17.4 |
| 772 | Manhattan | 17.3 |
| 773 | Santa Barbara | 17.3 |
| 774 | Iowa City | 17.3 |
| 775 | Duluth | 17.3 |
| 776 | St. George | 17.2 |
| 777 | Owensboro | 17.1 |
Workers who worked from home (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 495 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers who worked from home |
|---|---|---|
| 492 | Independence | 12.3% |
| 493 | College Station | 12.2% |
| 494 | Methuen | 12.2% |
| 495 | Iowa City | 12.2% |
| 496 | Berwyn | 12.2% |
| 497 | Lexington | 12.2% |
| 498 | Galveston | 12.2% |
Workers commuting by public transportation (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 74 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers commuting by public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Los Angeles | 6.1% |
| 72 | Concord | 6.1% |
| 73 | Portland | 6.1% |
| 74 | Iowa City | 6.0% |
| 75 | Davis | 5.9% |
| 76 | Pleasanton | 5.8% |
| 77 | Atlanta | 5.7% |
Employed residents working in manufacturing (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 648 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents working in manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| 645 | Colorado Springs | 6.1% |
| 646 | Boulder | 6.1% |
| 647 | Wilmington | 6.1% |
| 648 | Iowa City | 6.1% |
| 649 | Virginia Beach | 6.1% |
| 650 | Walnut Creek | 6.1% |
| 651 | Edmond | 6.1% |
Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 3 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | 50.0% |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | 46.7% |
| 3 | Iowa City | 43.3% |
| 4 | Stillwater | 43.1% |
| 5 | Champaign | 42.3% |
| 6 | New Haven | 41.3% |
| 7 | Cambridge | 40.9% |
Median gross rent per month (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 690 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross rent per month |
|---|---|---|
| 687 | Lafayette | $1,100 |
| 688 | Auburn | $1,098 |
| 689 | Columbia | $1,097 |
| 690 | Iowa City | $1,094 |
| 691 | Amarillo | $1,092 |
| 692 | Lawrence | $1,091 |
| 693 | Midwest City | $1,091 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 574 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 571 | Tamarac | $288,600 |
| 572 | Daytona Beach | $287,700 |
| 573 | New Haven | $287,100 |
| 574 | Iowa City | $285,900 |
| 575 | Porterville | $285,700 |
| 576 | Deltona | $285,400 |
| 577 | Columbia | $284,600 |
Median home value as a multiple of median household income (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 374 of 820, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median home value as a multiple of median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 371 | Hartford | 4.9x |
| 372 | Ogden | 4.9x |
| 373 | Hillsboro | 4.9x |
| 374 | Iowa City | 4.9x |
| 375 | Raleigh | 4.9x |
| 376 | Clovis | 4.9x |
| 377 | South Jordan | 4.9x |
Occupied homes lived in by their owners (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 670 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Occupied homes lived in by their owners |
|---|---|---|
| 667 | San Diego | 47.3% |
| 668 | Waterbury | 47.2% |
| 669 | Boulder | 47.2% |
| 670 | Iowa City | 47.2% |
| 671 | Marietta | 47.2% |
| 672 | Missoula | 47.0% |
| 673 | Salinas | 47.0% |
Households with a broadband subscription (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 776 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with a broadband subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 773 | Compton | 86.3% |
| 774 | Richmond | 86.2% |
| 775 | Schenectady | 86.1% |
| 776 | Iowa City | 86.1% |
| 777 | Brownsville | 86.1% |
| 778 | Pontiac | 86.0% |
| 779 | Gulfport | 86.0% |
Households with no internet access (2020-2024)
Iowa City ranks 539 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with no internet access |
|---|---|---|
| 536 | Layton | 3.8% |
| 537 | Moore | 3.8% |
| 538 | Garland | 3.7% |
| 539 | Iowa City | 3.7% |
| 540 | Oak Park | 3.7% |
| 541 | Union City | 3.7% |
| 542 | Beaumont | 3.7% |
More on Iowa City: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08013: Aggregate Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) of Workers by Sex (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 6939fdfa046fd5bb829ec8da9549e66298cc740f6a3f5dd60e1920a08e3083fb), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5f94e7878b6a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B23025: Employment Status for the Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 264a5bd9367c5f58d9773fa4966fa94fe1e02f9c7106bc2ab39168d6de7c3e4a), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2630e6946370…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini Index of Income Inequality (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 338f7a1191eaaf3913913e78c36aaa9d82f2b5c8faaf889be2e597b28869205e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8cf854b1f94…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C24030: Sex by Industry for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 66a2799a71a5fc36f0e3bc22767fe5bdd8f96eb29e85b91311e990d35cc14114), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5d717c57e7e4…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19013: Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b25a176b0e6c339b6f3a2a0d3d8446bf06f5f080b4395993ec9a8313efb1c229), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d8a264807c6…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08301: Means of Transportation to Work (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 552b24c135b6e7c566910914a861cda6fc798ba0cd47801b1eb64295a128c2ee), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 eaf823006d53…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19301: Per Capita Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 9fc107e98fee7fa49bb8314560205569184fad65fb64b80adb5c5bdd83ccc409), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c1e725b26a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25064: Median Gross Rent (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b36e6dc1fcef36b8b307d31b37517b64c80d8b9c70d48c9b1894242860f42eb0), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b842a7ff825c…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25077: Median Value (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 89eb2153764a2330b23959d8bbc29b3a8f3016f087b990f2a8ea0d5096d9a816), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22b59a3b1acb…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B28002: Presence and Types of Internet Subscriptions in Household (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 12446ff0691b8818f5908cdc398817361772c5b3078c506d0409adc9c841840b), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4b375b368bf9…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25003: Tenure (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 68e963e1ed60fcf6b0658579cefc6498b7a9eb780b9f3e87fd1b9775c4d4ac6c), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2983c28f47fa…)
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