CostIndexUSA

Iowa City, IA vs Midland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
TX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Iowa City is slightly cheaper than Midland — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Iowa City, you would need $83,800 in Midland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+20.8%
Iowa City
84
Midland
101.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Iowa City
93.7
Midland
93.8
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Iowa City
97.6
Midland
101.1
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Iowa City
88.3
Midland
91.4
Utilities0.6%
Iowa City
83.7
Midland
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Midland, TX
$83,800
$3,800 more needed in Midland

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.0470. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Iowa City, IA

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

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Midland has 20.8% higher housing costs compared to Iowa City.

Income & Job Market

Iowa City, IA

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

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

78% of income left after rent (median)

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.