CostIndexUSA

Iowa City, IA vs Wenatchee, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
WA
Wenatchee
103.9
overall index
$1,800/mo rent

Iowa City is moderately cheaper than Wenatchee — 13.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Iowa City, you would need $90,800 in Wenatchee. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+36.9%
Iowa City
84
Wenatchee
115
🛒 Groceries+12.1%
Iowa City
93.7
Wenatchee
105
🚗 Transportation+7.0%
Iowa City
97.6
Wenatchee
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+7.0%
Iowa City
88.3
Wenatchee
94.5
Utilities+20.2%
Iowa City
83.7
Wenatchee
100.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wenatchee, WA
$90,800
$10,800 more needed in Wenatchee

Formula: salary × (103.9 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 1.1355. 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×

Wenatchee, WA

Median Home Price
$503,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
115
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Wenatchee has 36.9% 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

Wenatchee, WA

Median Household Income
$73,600
Per Capita Income
$42,000
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
33,621
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareTourismManufacturingRetail

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)

Wenatchee, WA
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.