Cost of living in Iowa City, Iowa, United States vs Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Currency:
Food | - 3% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) is about the same as in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 | $13 | + 1% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $7 | $8 | - 11% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.70 | $4.42 | + 6% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.86 | $0.59 | + 45% | |
12 eggs, large | $2.37 | $2.17 | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.43 | $3.69 | + 20% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $5.97 | + 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.06 | $3.05 | + 0% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.56 | $1.38 | + 13% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.81 | $3.58 | - 22% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $13 | $15 | - 12% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $1.84 | $2.29 | - 20% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.66 | $1.98 | - 16% | |
Housing | - 1% | |||
Housing in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) is about the same as in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,487 | $1,637 | - 9% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,026 | $1,036 | - 1% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $123 | $160 | - 23% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $957 | $1,072 | - 11% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $692 | $727 | - 5% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $127 | $82 | + 55% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $48 | $43 | + 12% | |
40” flat screen tv | $338 | $279 | + 21% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $80 | $124 | - 36% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 | $10 | + 10% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $24 | $19 | + 26% | |
Clothes | - 14% | |||
Clothes in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) is 14% cheaper than in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 | $47 | + 3% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $33 | $43 | - 23% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $82 | $75 | + 9% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $101 | $113 | - 11% | |
Transportation | - 30% | |||
Transportation in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) is 30% cheaper than in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $19,239 | $24,220 | - 21% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.70 | $0.60 | + 17% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $33 | $59 | - 44% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $17 | $17 | - 4% | |
Personal Care | - 5% | |||
Personal Care in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) is 5% cheaper than in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 | $9 | - 21% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 | $22 | - 5% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $95 | $102 | - 7% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $6 | $7 | - 5% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.01 | $3.39 | - 11% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.65 | $3.89 | + 45% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.19 | $3.39 | - 6% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.79 | $1.59 | + 12% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $20 | $20 | - 1% | |
Entertainment | - 12% | |||
Entertainment in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) is 12% cheaper than in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $34 | $47 | - 28% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $19 | $25 | - 23% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $95 | $111 | - 14% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $67 | $93 | - 28% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $7 | $9 | - 21% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $3.83 | $5.32 | - 28% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $4.40 | $5.32 | - 17% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $430 | $429 | + 0% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 | $0.19 | + 11% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $43 | $35 | + 22% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $7 | $6 | + 16% | |
TOTAL | - 10% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
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Cost of living in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) is 10% cheaper than in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $5,300 in Indianapolis, Indiana you would need to make just about $4,754 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Prices recently added
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