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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Iowa City, IA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $188/month more in San Antonio, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $152.3K in San Antonio, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 2.5%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$188
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$2.3K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Iowa City, IA

Population:76K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$282K

San Antonio, TX

Population:1547K
Cost Index:103
Median Home:$215K

Iowa City, IA

The Hawkeye State

76K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 76K residents.

San Antonio, TX

The Lone Star State

1.5M
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 1.5M residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Iowa City, IA vs San Antonio, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 13.8%
Iowa City, IA
$1,846
San Antonio, TX
$2,100
Difference
$254
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 22.2%
Iowa City, IA
$677
San Antonio, TX
$527
Difference
$150
less
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 3.9%
Iowa City, IA
$1,585
San Antonio, TX
$1,647
Difference
$62.03
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 4.9%
Iowa City, IA
$1,226
San Antonio, TX
$1,287
Difference
$60.61
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 6.2%
Iowa City, IA
$467
San Antonio, TX
$496
Difference
$28.89
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 1.1%
Iowa City, IA
$903
San Antonio, TX
$913
Difference
$10.20
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$776
To$1,110
โ†‘ $334
1 Bed
From$851
To$1,210
โ†‘ $359
2 Bed
From$1,006
To$1,470
โ†‘ $464
3 Bed
From$1,400
To$1,890
โ†‘ $490
Iowa City, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $980โ€“$1,090/mo

San Antonio, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $840โ€“$1,770/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,704
Monthly in Iowa City, IA
$6,969
Monthly in San Antonio, TX
$266
Difference

Home Values

Iowa City
San Antonio
$282K
Median Value
$215K
โ†‘ +4.5%
YoY Change
โ†“ -2.9%
โ†‘ +27.7%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +16.7%
$270K - $311K
Price Range
$107K - $905K

Homes in San Antonio are 24% less expensive than Iowa City

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $10.7K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$892
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
7.1%
Rate difference

Iowa City, IA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Iowa State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.7K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.7K
Take-Home Pay
$8,524/month
$102.3K

San Antonio, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Iowa City, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

San Antonio, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Iowa City
San Antonio
45 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
67.5%
Good Air Days
47.5%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
99 High
๐ŸŒกโ˜€๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.6ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
105 days
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.6ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
105 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Iowa and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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Similar cost to San Antonio, TX

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