CostIndexUSA

Iowa City, IA vs Provo, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
UT
Provo
98.2
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Iowa City is moderately cheaper than Provo — 7.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Iowa City, you would need $85,900 in Provo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+23.9%
Iowa City
84
Provo
104.1
🛒 Groceries+2.9%
Iowa City
93.7
Provo
96.4
🚗 Transportation+6.5%
Iowa City
97.6
Provo
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+6.5%
Iowa City
88.3
Provo
94
Utilities6.1%
Iowa City
83.7
Provo
78.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Provo, UT
$85,900
$5,900 more needed in Provo

Formula: salary × (98.2 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.0732. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Iowa City, IA

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

Provo, UT

Median Home Price
$534,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
104.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.4×

Provo has 23.9% higher housing costs compared to Iowa City.

Income & Job Market

Iowa City, IA

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

Provo, UT

Median Household Income
$100,800
Per Capita Income
$57,500
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
116,288
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

78% of income left after rent (median)

Provo, UT
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.