Kansas City, MO vs Iowa City, IA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Iowa City, IA is 1.1% less expensive than Kansas City, MO (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Kansas City works out to about $74,200 in Iowa City, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 0.4% lower and other services 0.5% lower in Iowa City, while housing is 3.1% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,757 a month in Iowa City and $1,534 in Kansas City, $2,676 a year more in Iowa City (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $300,000 in Iowa City and $325,000 in Kansas City.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (0.8%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Kansas City and Iowa City
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
All items Kansas City, MO: 92.5 Iowa City, IA: 91.5
Goods Kansas City, MO: 94.1 Iowa City, IA: 93.7
Housing (rents) Kansas City, MO: 86.6 Iowa City, IA: 84.0
Utilities Kansas City, MO: 89.0 Iowa City, IA: 83.7
Other services Kansas City, MO: 93.4 Iowa City, IA: 92.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.5 | 91.5 |
| Goods | 94.1 | 93.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 86.6 | 84.0 |
| Utilities | 89.0 | 83.7 |
| Other services | 93.4 | 92.9 |
| Category | Kansas City | Iowa City | Iowa City vs Kansas City |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.5 | 91.5 | −1.1% |
| Goods | 94.1 | 93.7 | −0.4% |
| Housing (rents) | 86.6 | 84.0 | −3.1% |
| Utilities | 89.0 | 83.7 | −6.0% |
| Other services | 93.4 | 92.9 | −0.5% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,534 | $1,757 | +14.5% |
| Typical home value | $325,000 | $300,000 | −7.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Kansas City | $75,000 | $74,200 | −1.1% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Kansas City and Iowa City has narrowed since 2008: 2.7 points then, 1.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.1 | 95.7 |
| 2009 | 95.0 | 95.0 |
| 2010 | 96.0 | 97.2 |
| 2011 | 96.6 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 96.5 |
| 2013 | 95.8 | 97.1 |
| 2014 | 97.1 | 97.6 |
| 2015 | 98.6 | 95.0 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 95.4 |
| 2017 | 96.9 | 94.7 |
| 2018 | 94.2 | 94.8 |
| 2019 | 94.9 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 95.0 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 93.6 | 93.0 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 91.3 |
| 2023 | 93.2 | 91.9 |
| 2024 | 92.5 | 91.5 |
Goods
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.4 | 96.1 |
| 2009 | 98.9 | 96.2 |
| 2010 | 96.0 | 96.2 |
| 2011 | 96.6 | 95.9 |
| 2012 | 97.8 | 97.0 |
| 2013 | 97.5 | 96.8 |
| 2014 | 97.4 | 98.1 |
| 2015 | 98.8 | 97.9 |
| 2016 | 97.8 | 97.1 |
| 2017 | 98.0 | 95.8 |
| 2018 | 95.1 | 95.8 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 95.8 | 95.5 |
| 2021 | 94.0 | 94.1 |
| 2022 | 93.7 | 93.3 |
| 2023 | 96.6 | 96.6 |
| 2024 | 94.1 | 93.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 88.8 | 87.6 |
| 2009 | 85.3 | 83.8 |
| 2010 | 88.2 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 87.3 | 102.8 |
| 2012 | 85.3 | 98.7 |
| 2013 | 86.9 | 100.8 |
| 2014 | 84.1 | 104.3 |
| 2015 | 87.1 | 94.1 |
| 2016 | 85.3 | 94.6 |
| 2017 | 85.4 | 95.5 |
| 2018 | 83.3 | 87.1 |
| 2019 | 84.6 | 90.0 |
| 2020 | 87.6 | 93.3 |
| 2021 | 84.8 | 82.4 |
| 2022 | 85.6 | 83.5 |
| 2023 | 88.0 | 81.6 |
| 2024 | 86.6 | 84.0 |
Utilities
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.3 | 90.9 |
| 2009 | 88.8 | 92.7 |
| 2010 | 90.3 | 90.7 |
| 2011 | 90.4 | 90.3 |
| 2012 | 85.6 | 89.2 |
| 2013 | 86.1 | 89.3 |
| 2014 | 83.8 | 84.3 |
| 2015 | 95.4 | 83.1 |
| 2016 | 95.8 | 82.0 |
| 2017 | 101.0 | 88.6 |
| 2018 | 99.2 | 97.4 |
| 2019 | 97.9 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.0 | 98.1 |
| 2021 | 97.1 | 100.2 |
| 2022 | 98.0 | 100.3 |
| 2023 | 91.4 | 88.0 |
| 2024 | 89.0 | 83.7 |
Other services
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.3 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 95.7 | 98.5 |
| 2010 | 98.8 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 99.8 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 100.6 | 95.7 |
| 2013 | 98.2 | 96.6 |
| 2014 | 102.0 | 95.9 |
| 2015 | 102.2 | 94.0 |
| 2016 | 100.6 | 95.3 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 94.0 |
| 2018 | 96.6 | 96.2 |
| 2019 | 96.6 | 96.3 |
| 2020 | 96.7 | 96.2 |
| 2021 | 95.8 | 95.3 |
| 2022 | 92.3 | 92.0 |
| 2023 | 92.6 | 92.3 |
| 2024 | 93.4 | 92.9 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,757 in Iowa City vs $1,534 in Kansas City
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $868 | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $881 | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $888 | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $885 | $1,187 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $898 | $1,197 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $910 | $1,202 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $923 | $1,180 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $922 | $1,206 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $934 | $1,232 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $953 | $1,234 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $960 | $1,211 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $963 | $1,268 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $972 | $1,264 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $990 | $1,247 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $993 | $1,225 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $992 | $1,278 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,009 | $1,285 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,031 | $1,262 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,032 | $1,260 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,031 | $1,289 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,050 | $1,289 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,072 | $1,282 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,092 | $1,273 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,083 | $1,319 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,109 | $1,326 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,156 | $1,332 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,179 | $1,339 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,192 | $1,384 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,219 | $1,384 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,269 | $1,400 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,293 | $1,412 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,288 | $1,448 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,307 | $1,453 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,344 | $1,468 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,348 | $1,498 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,356 | $1,512 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,374 | $1,536 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,408 | $1,536 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,419 | $1,555 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,412 | $1,579 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,445 | $1,600 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,470 | $1,620 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,477 | $1,628 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,472 | $1,652 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,490 | $1,685 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,519 | $1,706 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,534 | $1,757 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $300,000 in Iowa City vs $325,000 in Kansas City
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Kansas City, MO
- Iowa City, IA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Kansas City, MO | Iowa City, IA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $152K | $187K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $154K | $189K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $157K | $191K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $160K | $192K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $163K | $194K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $166K | $195K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $169K | $196K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $172K | $198K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $176K | $199K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $180K | $202K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $182K | $204K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $185K | $206K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $190K | $208K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $194K | $210K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $197K | $212K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $199K | $213K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $202K | $215K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $205K | $218K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $205K | $219K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $208K | $222K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $213K | $223K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $216K | $224K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $221K | $226K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $232K | $229K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $241K | $231K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $254K | $237K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $258K | $241K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $260K | $246K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $273K | $254K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $285K | $262K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $285K | $264K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $284K | $266K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $286K | $267K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $292K | $272K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $297K | $275K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $299K | $276K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $301K | $277K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $304K | $279K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $306K | $280K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $309K | $283K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $311K | $287K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $310K | $287K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $313K | $291K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $317K | $295K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $320K | $298K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $321K | $298K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $325K | $300K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Kansas City, MO
- Cost of living in Iowa City, IA
- Reverse: moving from Iowa City to Kansas City
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.