CostIndexUSA

Atlantic City, NJ vs Iowa City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Atlantic City
98.9
overall index
$2,225/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Iowa City is moderately cheaper than Atlantic City — 7.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlantic City, you would need $74,000 in Iowa City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing14.9%
Atlantic City
98.7
Iowa City
84
🛒 Groceries6.1%
Atlantic City
99.8
Iowa City
93.7
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Atlantic City
102.8
Iowa City
97.6
🏥 Healthcare5.1%
Atlantic City
93
Iowa City
88.3
Utilities23.4%
Atlantic City
109.2
Iowa City
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlantic City to see what you'd need to earn in Iowa City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Iowa City, IA
$74,000
$6,000 less needed in Iowa City

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 98.9) = salary × 0.9252. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Home Price
$369,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,225
Housing Index
98.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Atlantic City has 14.9% lower housing costs compared to Iowa City.

Income & Job Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
6%
Population
38,497
Top Industries
GamingTourismHealthcareHospitalityRetail

Iowa City, IA

Median Household Income
$71,900
Per Capita Income
$41,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
74,398
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyResearchGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlantic City, NJ
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Iowa City, IA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.