Iowa City, Iowa Income Statistics
Iowa City Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
Iowa City Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Iowa City | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $56,219 | $75,133 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,298 | $57,332 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.9% | 4.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.2% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 8.7% | 8.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Iowa City is about 25% lower than in Iowa. Income has been growing slower in Iowa City (3.9%/yr) than in Iowa (4.0%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Iowa City earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Iowa average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Iowa City, Iowa grew by 50.2% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $56,219 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Iowa City
| Metric | Iowa City | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.599 | 0.510 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $59,705 | $66,524 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $53,583 | $52,524 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 10.3% | 21.0% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Iowa City, it is 0.599, higher than Iowa's 0.510, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 11% more than women's income in Iowa City, Iowa. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $214,270 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Iowa City, Iowa has narrowed from about 12% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 19% in 2020, and was narrowest at 6% in 2017. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $600 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Iowa City | Iowa Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 12.0% | 11.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 1,894 people are unemployed in Iowa City, Iowa.
The average commute time in Iowa City is 15 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Iowa.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Iowa City, Iowa has fallen from 5.3% to 4.8% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 5.5% in 2013 and fell as low as 4.2% in 2023.
Iowa City, IA Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Iowa City, IA compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | 66,193 | $56,219 #2/2 | 3.9%/yr #1/2 | 4.8% #2/2 | 0.599 #2/2 |
| Coralville, IA | 22,755 | $67,944 | 1.9%/yr | 2.3% | 0.516 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Iowa City, Iowa has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Iowa, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Iowa City, Iowa.
How Wealthy Is Iowa City, Iowa?
Iowa City has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $56,219, about 25% lower than the Iowa average of $75,133.
How has median household income changed in Iowa City, Iowa?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Iowa City, Iowa rose 50%, from $37,418 to $56,219. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Iowa as a whole: +50% against +56%.
What was the median household income in Iowa City in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Iowa City, Iowa was $55,218, up 5% from $52,682 in 2022. The Iowa median that year was $73,347.
What was the median household income in Iowa City in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Iowa City, Iowa was $45,448. By 2024 it had risen 24% to $56,219.
How strong is the job market in Iowa City, Iowa?
Unemployment in Iowa City, Iowa is 4.8%, well above the Iowa rate of 3.6%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Iowa City, Iowa?
The Gini coefficient in Iowa City is 0.599. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Iowa City, Iowa?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Iowa City, Iowa has narrowed from about 12% to 10% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 19% in 2020, and was narrowest at 6% in 2017. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $600 since 2009.
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