CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs Iowa City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Iowa City is slightly cheaper than Grand Junction — 4.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $76,600 in Iowa City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing2.8%
Grand Junction
86.4
Iowa City
84
🛒 Groceries2.5%
Grand Junction
96.1
Iowa City
93.7
🚗 Transportation6.9%
Grand Junction
104.8
Iowa City
97.6
🏥 Healthcare6.9%
Grand Junction
94.8
Iowa City
88.3
Utilities≈ Equal
Grand Junction
83.3
Iowa City
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction to see what you'd need to earn in Iowa City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Iowa City, IA
$76,600
$3,400 less needed in Iowa City

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9581. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Grand Junction has 2.8% lower housing costs compared to Iowa City.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Iowa City, IA

Median Household Income
$71,900
Per Capita Income
$41,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
74,398
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyResearchGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Iowa City, IA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.