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Last updated: Feb 2026

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Iowa CityvsSeattle

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Iowa City to Seattle will cost approximately $107,360 more on median home prices (25.3% higher). Monthly rent is $447 more expensive in Seattle. Median income is 0.4% higher in Seattle, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
25.3% more
Rent
25.3% more
View Iowa CityView Seattle
Seattle

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

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$530,921+25.3%
Monthly Rent
$2,212+25.3%
Median Income
$74,820+0.4%
Population684,443
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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

Seattle

2015$1,625
2020$1,724
2025$2,212

Annual Cost of Living

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

Iowa City

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

Seattle

Housing$10,040
Food$6,538
Transport$13,805
Healthcare$8,679
Total$51,246
Costs

Key Insights

25.3%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Seattle
$447
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
0.4%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Iowa City

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

Seattle

Population684,443
Median Age35.5 yrs
Violent Crime Rate336 per 100k
Property Crime Rate3036 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Iowa City

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

Seattle

336
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
3036
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Iowa City?

Iowa City is 25.3% cheaper for housing than Seattle. The median home price in Iowa City is $423,561 compared to $530,921 in Seattle.

What is the rent difference between Iowa City and Seattle?

Monthly rent in Seattle averages $2,212, while Iowa City averages $1,765. That's a difference of $447 per month, or $5,368 annually.

How do incomes compare between Iowa City and Seattle?

The median household income in Seattle is $74,820, which is 0.4% higher than Iowa City's median of $74,522.

Which city is safer: Iowa City or Seattle?

Iowa City has a violent crime rate of 295 per 100k residents, while Seattle has 336 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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