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Last updated: Feb 2026

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Iowa CityvsBoston

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Iowa City to Boston will cost approximately $354,868 more on median home prices (83.8% higher). Monthly rent is $1,479 more expensive in Boston. Median income is 34.9% higher in Boston, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
83.8% more
Rent
83.8% more
View Iowa CityView Boston
Boston

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price$423,561
Monthly Rent$1,765
Median Income$74,522
Population74,227
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Destination

Boston, MA

Median Home Price
$778,429+83.8%
Monthly Rent
$3,243+83.8%
Median Income
$100,532+34.9%
Population669,469
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Iowa City

2015N/A
2020$1,407
2025$1,765

Boston

2015$2,273
2020$2,347
2025$3,243

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Boston.

Iowa City

Housing$7,029
Food$5,574
Transport$13,411
Healthcare$9,747
Total$45,878

Boston

Housing$16,490
Food$7,343
Transport$12,320
Healthcare$8,876
Total$63,621
Costs

Key Insights

83.8%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Boston
$1,479
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
34.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Iowa City

Population74,227
Median Age25.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate295 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1508 per 100k

Boston

Population669,469
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate301 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1000 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Iowa City

295
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1508
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Boston

301
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1000
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Iowa City?

Iowa City is 83.8% cheaper for housing than Boston. The median home price in Iowa City is $423,561 compared to $778,429 in Boston.

What is the rent difference between Iowa City and Boston?

Monthly rent in Boston averages $3,243, while Iowa City averages $1,765. That's a difference of $1,479 per month, or $17,743 annually.

How do incomes compare between Iowa City and Boston?

The median household income in Boston is $100,532, which is 34.9% higher than Iowa City's median of $74,522.

Which city is safer: Iowa City or Boston?

Iowa City has a violent crime rate of 295 per 100k residents, while Boston has 301 per 100k. Iowa City is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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