CostByCity

Iowa City, IA vs Santa Cruz, CA

Cost of Living Comparison

Iowa City, IA is more affordable by 18.4 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryIowa City, IASanta Cruz, CADifference
Overall91.5109.9-18.4
Housing84.0164.3-80.3
Goods93.7105.2-11.4
Utilities83.7152.7-69.0
Other Services92.9100.3-7.3

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricIowa City, IASanta Cruz, CA
Median Household Income$72,680$104,409
Median Home Value$265,500$951,300
Median Monthly Rent$1,057$2,094
Per Capita Income$41,313$52,887

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iowa City, IA or Santa Cruz, CA cheaper to live in?
Iowa City, IA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 18.4 index points (Iowa City, IA: 91.5, Santa Cruz, CA: 109.9).
Where is housing cheaper, Iowa City, IA or Santa Cruz, CA?
Housing is more affordable in Iowa City, IA. Housing index: Iowa City, IA (84.0) vs Santa Cruz, CA (164.3).