Quick Facts About Iowa City
The home of the Hawkeyes, the Heartlanders and some of the nation’s most talented young writers, Iowa City is a cool college town with a warm Midwestern soul.
The city once served as the capital of the great state of Iowa, and although the governor’s residence may have moved to Des Moines long ago, the University of Iowa’s flagship in Iowa City remains one of the state’s biggest assets. You’ve earned some serious bragging rights when you turn out basketball superstars like Caitlin Clark and award-winning authors from John Irving to Rita Dove and Jane Smiley.
UI students, faculty and staff make up a sizeable portion of the city’s 75,678 residents, so no matter what industry you work in, you’ll likely have close ties to the school. The university and the Iowa Health Care network of hospitals and clinics are both a stabilizing force and one of the drivers of growth in the city. Iowa City has gained nearly 8,000 residents since 2010. And, unlike its counterparts in Des Moines, Davenport, Sioux City and Ames, Iowa City is the only one of Iowa’s top five largest cities to have grown post-pandemic.
In addition to the university, the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids region is home to some of the biggest names in American business. The ACT is headquartered in IC, and companies from Proctor & Gamble to Geico, Cargill and Collins Aerospace have bases in the area.
But work isn’t the only reason to move here — Iowa City is one of the best places to play, especially outdoors. Concerts on the Ped Mall, picnics in Hickory Hill Park and biking along the Iowa River Trail are some of our favorite things to do during our downtime. There are also great things to experience indoors in Iowa City. Visit the Stanley Art Museum, the UI Museum of Natural History or the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch, which will reopen in 2026 after a significant renovation.
If you are looking for an affordable, culturally rich city in the Midwest, you might want to move to Iowa City. Learn more about IC below in our moving guide, where we’ll address the cost of living, the job market and recreational options.
Iowa City — Academic and Cultural Hub
One of Iowa City’s greatest strengths is its educational system. 97% of residents have graduated from high school and 61% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. These figures exceed the state and national averages, particularly those for higher education, which are some of the highest percentages in the state.
These achievements are thanks — in no small part — to the University of Iowa. UI is one of the top 50 public schools in the country and among the top 100 universities in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report, and the city likely wouldn’t exist without it. A preeminent research institution and the home of the famous Iowa Writers’ Workshop, its graduates have gone on to greatness in many arenas, earning accolades from the Pulitzer Prize to the MacArthur “Genius” Grants. Writing is such an important part of the fabric of the city that it was named a UNESCO City of Literature, one of just three cities in North America and 53 in the world.
Of course, Iowa is also a Big-10 champion, the #4 school for nursing and the #8 school for insurance. Iowa Healthcare is one of the most trusted university systems in the country and it’s the #1 hospital in the state. Learn more about the cultural resources of the school in the Entertainment & Recreation section below.
Iowa City’s Cost of Living
Iowa City’s cost of living may trail far behind national standards, but it’s one of the more expensive places to live in the state of Iowa. The median home value in the college town is $273,600, which comes in $30,000 below the U.S. median but more than $75,000 above the state average and nearly $90,000 above prices in the state capital, Des Moines. But the real culprit is low wages. Iowa City residents earn just $57,533 per household per year, while their statewide counterparts bring home $73,147, making ends even harder to meet.
With a shortage of affordable housing, particularly for renters who pay an average of $1,094/month, a sizeable portion of residents lives below the poverty line — 26.3% — which is more than twice the statewide or national average. Some of this data may be skewed by the student population, so it’s best to research the wages for your type of job before moving to see how your income might differ.
Job Opportunities in Iowa City
While the University of Iowa and Iowa Health (UI Hospitals and Clinics) are the single largest employer in the city, the region is home to several major U.S. corporations.
The headquarters of ACT are located in Iowa City, as are the beauty care and oral care plants of Proctor & Gamble. In nearby Cedar Rapids, where the area airport is located, you’ll find Kraft Heinz, Cargill, ADM, Collins Aerospace and many others. Even smaller districts like North Liberty and the Amana Colonies have heavy hitters like Geico and Whirlpool.
Rest assured, there is a good balance between academic and for-profit industries in the area. Learn more about the top industries in the region, from insurance to engineering to biotechnology.
Entertainment and Recreation in Iowa City
One of the best things about living in a big College Town is there is always something fun to do, from museums to sports. When school is in session, Hawkeyes fans — decked out in black and gold — fill the stadium and arena. You’ll never really want to miss a game here — after all, you never know when the next Caitlin Clark will step out onto the court.
Ice hockey fans can revel in Heartlanders games in nearby Coralville. The ECHL-league team plays at the Xtream Arena, and despite a rocky 2023-24 season, where they finished at the bottom of the Western Division, things are looking up in 2025.
Iowa City’s annual events also draw huge crowds, so if you’re more into music or the arts, there will be plenty of crowd-pleasers for you, too. In April, the Mission Creek Festival brings together the preeminent musical acts and literary powerhouses for a three-day, knock-out experience. This year’s lineup includes fierce singer-songwriter Neko Case, genre-defying writer Rachel Kushner and the inimitable Raekwon. Some performers will take the stage at the historic Englert Theatre, which brings notable acts to town throughout the year.
Other annual favorites include the Iowa City Jazz Festival, which turns 35 next year, the Iowa Arts Festival (which is already over the hill), and the Northside Oktoberfest, where you can sample delectable suds from more than 20 Iowa brewers. We recommend Full Fledge Brewing’s Dank Heavens American IPA and Wilson’s Orchard’s caramel apple hard cider.
It seems like every week Prairie Lights hosts readings at its famous bookstore, but The Haunted Bookshop has a great selection of titles, too. When you want to be far from the madding crowds, take your new read to one of the city’s other favorite haunts, like the Java House or George’s bar, if you want a coffee or a pint with your book, or grab something to go from the many other restaurants near the Ped Mall.
For a city of under 100,000, the range of museums is outstanding. Coralville is home to the Iowa City Children’s Museum and the Antique Car Museum is a must-see for any automotive connoisseur. Downtown, UI’s Stanley Art Museum has fabulous works in its permanent collection, from West African textiles to contemporary American ceramics. Within the Pentacrest area of the university, the Old Capitol Museum and Museum of Natural History are also treasures — be sure to see the Laysan Island Cyclorama, one of the few exhibits of its kind still in existence.
It doesn’t take long to get to greener pastures from downtown Iowa City, so hikers and bikers will have plenty of room to roam if they move here. On the northeast side of the city, Hickory Hill Park connects the famous Oakland Cemetery with nearly 200 acres of pastoral trails. On the north side of I-80, the Waterworks Prairie Park has miles of paved trails and a fishing dock overlooking the pond.
If you’re looking for a longer route to run or ride, try the Iowa River Trail. This pathway starts south of the city at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and follows the waterway northward. The trail passes through the UI campus, Riverside Park and City Park, so it’s easy to hop on wherever you live in the city. Pack your gear for a weekend camping trip at Coralville Lake, the northern terminus of the trail, or make a round trip back to the Iowa City Farmer’s Market and pick up some fresh local fare for the week ahead.
Prepare for Your Move to Iowa City with America’s #1 Mover®
Does Iowa City sound like the right fit for your family? If so, United Van Lines can make it easy for you to relocate from anywhere in the country. See how our nationwide network of professional movers can assist your family today.
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Moving cross-country? United’s long-distance movers can provide your family with a full-service moving package that includes the following:
- Loading, transporting and unloading household belongings
- A personal move coordinator for your entire move
- Standard transport of appliances (service disconnect/connect not included)
- Standard furniture placement
- Full-value protection (unless waived)
Need additional help? No problem. You can add as many additional services as you need, from packing your belongings to unpacking, shipping your car, removing debris, storage and more.
Moving within the state of Iowa? Our interstate Iowa City agents/movers can provide local moving services in the Iowa City area and Iowa independently under their businesses and brands.
On the fence about how to move? Now’s the time to decide whether you want to hire a professional moving company or take the DIY approach.
However, if you decide to move to Iowa City, United’s week-by-week moving checklist will help you and your family stay on track leading up to your move. Want more detailed tips? Our digital moving magazine is filled with moving advice from the pros. We’ll show you how to pack fragile items, help you decide which rooms to pack first and plan out where your belongings will go in your new house.
Still considering other places to move to? Check out our other moving guides for cities and states around the U.S.
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