Iowa City, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

Iowa City, IA and West Des Moines, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Iowa City scores 88 while West Des Moines scores 92 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Iowa City is $1,094/month compared to $1,194/month in West Des Moines — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Iowa City is more affordable at $273,600 median vs $286,300.

Median household income in Iowa City is $57,533 compared to $84,925 in West Des Moines (-32.3%). While West Des Moines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Iowa City spend roughly 22.8% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in West Des Moines.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51°F vs 50.9°F). West Des Moines receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 35.7" in Iowa City.