Iowa City, IA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Iowa City, IA: What You Need to Know

Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa, recognized worldwide for its excellence in teaching the craft of writing. It’s the government seat of Johnson County in the eastern-central part of the state.

Schools in Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa (31,656 students) was founded in 1847, and offers over 200 undergraduate programs and 100 graduate programs. The Iowa Writers Workshop, introduced in 1936, was the first creative writing degree program in the United States. The program has produced 17 Pulitzer Prize winners. Its illustrious alumni include Raymond Carver, Flannery O'Connor, Wallace Stegner, John Irving, and T.C. Boyle. There are 40 other universities within 100 miles of Iowa City. In primary and secondary education, the city has 16 public schools serving 8,322 students. 

Things to Do in Iowa City, IA

There are two must-see museums in Iowa City, and they’re both at the University of Iowa. The Stanley Museum of Art, one of the finest in the country, houses about 15,500 items. The permanent collection includes some works by Henry Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, and Jackson Pollock. The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, established in 1858, is the oldest university museum west of the Mississippi River. Its vast collection includes ancient rocks and Native American artifacts, mammal specimens, and exhibits on all aspects of birdlife.

Cost of Living in Iowa City, IA

Over the years, magazines and websites have recognized Iowa City (population: 75,130) for its high quality of life. It doesn’t hurt that the city is also affordable, with a cost of living rate, food, and housing costs that are 9.6%, 22.8%, and 40.7% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent is $967. The Hawkeye State levies 0.33% to 8.53% in income tax. The top rate is among the highest in the United States. Iowa collects 6% to 7% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

There is such a thing as “Iowa nice.” Residents love their hometown’s friendliness, inclusiveness, cleanliness, and excellent amenities. This college town has active arts scene and nightlife. A little over half (52%) of all residents are renters. Iowa City’s public schools are as good as they come, but families looking to settle down in the suburbs will find equally superb schools in Coralville and North Liberty.

Weather and Climate

Iowa is part of Tornado Alley, with spring and summer months the most likely time for twisters to occur. On April 13, 2006, an F2 tornado struck Iowa City with winds of up to 155 miles per hour. About 30 people were injured.