Iowa City, IABest Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024

Iowa City has all four seasons: cold winters, cool springs, hot summers that reach the mid-80s and crisp autumn days. The average highs and lows are 83°F and 63°F (summer) and 34°F and 17°F (winter).

The average annual snowfall in Iowa City is around 27 inches.

The average annual rainfall in Iowa City is 37 inches. Though rain is evenly distributed throughout the year, June is the wettest month. 

Iowa City averages 204 sunny days a year.

Spend an afternoon road cycling or gravel biking through Iowa City’s rolling cornfields. For camaraderie and route inspiration, join the Iowa City Cycling Club. Grab your four-legged friend and head to the 12-acre Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park, which offers plenty of room to play fetch, get the zoomies and sniff some good smells.

Visit the Iowa Old Capitol Building on the University of Iowa campus. This historic building, which opened in 1842, served as the state capitol from 1846 to 1857 and now operates as a museum. 

Pick strawberries, apples, pumpkins and more at Wilson’s Orchard and Farm. The farm also has a smokehouse where you can grab lunch and a Farm Market where you can pick up more produce.

If you want to be a writer, there are endless reasons why you should move to Iowa City. First, Iowa City is a rich literary city, thanks largely to the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, the country’s first creative writing degree program that started in 1936. Residents can even take a self-guided literary tour in Iowa City with 10 historically significant stops and bronze book sculptures on Linn Street. 

Iowa City is big on bookworms. It is the world’s third UNESCO City of Literature, and the designation recognizes Iowa City’s commitment to literature through events, education, publishing, translation, libraries and bookstores. You’ll fall in love with the collection of books and the atmosphere at Prairie Lights. 

Slurp ramen and share sashimi, short ribs and pot stickers at Ramen Belly.

The Englert Theatre is a popular performing arts venue in downtown Iowa City. Originally built in 1912, this self-described “vaudeville-era playhouse” seats 725 people and hosts cool shows and performances all year round.

You can’t go wrong with happy hour at Micky’s Irish Pub on Dubuque Street. This long-loved staple offers plenty of craft brews, whiskeys and cocktails.

Iowa City’s diverse economy includes various industries, including education, technology and advanced manufacturing. The largest employer in Iowa City is the University of Iowa. Other major employers are the Iowa City Community School District, Proctor & Gamble and ACT, Inc. (yes, that ACT!), which is headquartered in Iowa City. 

In 2024, the sales tax rate in Iowa City is 6%. 

Yes, Iowa has a state income tax. 

Iowa City residents are in good health, thanks largely to the nationally ranked University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, which also operates the nationally ranked Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Mercy Iowa City and UnityPoint Health are also major providers in the area. 

There are several colleges and universities in Iowa City, including the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College’s Iowa City Campus.