Cost of living in Berkeley, California, United States vs Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Currency:
Food | + 31% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Berkeley, California (United States) is 31% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 | $14 | + 26% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 | $7 | + 22% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 | $4.70 | + 31% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.31 | $0.86 | + 53% | |
12 eggs, large | $4.95 | $2.37 | + 109% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.67 | $4.43 | + 5% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 | $8 | + 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.64 | $3.06 | + 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.07 | $1.56 | + 33% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.15 | $2.81 | + 12% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $13 | $13 | + 3% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.25 | $1.84 | + 22% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.78 | $1.66 | + 68% | |
Housing | + 114% | |||
Housing in Berkeley, California (United States) is 114% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,965 | $1,487 | + 167% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,071 | $1,026 | + 199% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $176 | $123 | + 43% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,784 | $957 | + 191% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,049 | $692 | + 196% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $110 | $127 | - 13% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $58 | $48 | + 21% | |
40” flat screen tv | $346 | $338 | + 2% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $128 | $80 | + 61% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 | $11 | - 1% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $27 | $24 | + 14% | |
Clothes | + 32% | |||
Clothes in Berkeley, California (United States) is 32% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $51 | $49 | + 5% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 | $33 | + 32% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $99 | $82 | + 21% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $190 | $101 | + 88% | |
Transportation | + 137% | |||
Transportation in Berkeley, California (United States) is 137% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $24,942 | $19,239 | + 30% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.98 | $0.70 | + 41% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $116 | $33 | + 254% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | $17 | - | |
Personal Care | + 24% | |||
Personal Care in Berkeley, California (United States) is 24% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 | $7 | + 20% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 | $21 | - 23% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $121 | $95 | + 27% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $12 | $6 | + 81% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.36 | $3.01 | + 78% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 | $5.65 | + 17% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.12 | $3.19 | + 29% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.34 | $1.79 | + 31% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $23 | $20 | + 14% | |
Entertainment | + 40% | |||
Entertainment in Berkeley, California (United States) is 40% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $44 | $34 | + 29% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $27 | $19 | + 37% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $202 | $95 | + 112% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $95 | $67 | + 41% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 | $7 | + 79% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.10 | $3.83 | + 7% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 | $4.40 | + 66% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $433 | $430 | + 1% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.21 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $82 | $43 | + 89% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 | $7 | + 35% | |
TOTAL | + 78% |

These prices were last updated on February 24, 2021.
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Cost of living in Berkeley, California (United States) is 78% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
For example, you would need at least $8,178 in Berkeley, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $4,600 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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