Iowa City named one of the best places to live in the U.S. for 2026

Iowa City was named best city in the state by Livability

Livability has ranked Iowa City in its Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2026.

“Iowa City has cultivated an inviting and creative atmosphere, from its prestigious university to its rich literary legacy,” Livability writes. “There are plenty of outdoor activities, countless ways to flex your creative muscle and a low cost of living.”

In the 2026 list Iowa City was ranked as the 11th best place to live in the Midwest, highest of any city in the state and 31st by LivScore overall in the country.

The article highlighted top reasons to move to Iowa City as it being a UNESCO City of Literature, home to the University of Iowa Hospitals – one of the nation’s largest and best teaching hospitals, and the well educated and highly ranked public school system.

“The most livable cities in the U.S. offer a combination of affordability, opportunity and quality of life factors,” Livability writes about its methodology.

“Livability partnered with Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) to curate the Top 100 Best Places To Live in the U.S., based on about 100 data points measuring eight broad categories.”

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Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Fairfield Inn & Suites Coralville

650 Coral Ridge Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Hotels, Iowa City

Hampton Inn Iowa City / University Area

4 Sturgis Corner Dr. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA

Hotels, Surrounding

Hotel Millwright

800 48th Avenue Amana, Iowa 52203 USA

Extended Stay, Hotels, Iowa River Landing

Homewood Suites by Hilton Coralville – Iowa River Landing

921 E. 2nd Ave. Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Hotels, Iowa River Landing, Wedding Venue

Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center

300 E 9th St Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

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Springhill Suites by Marriott Coralville

1001 25th Ave Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

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Heartland Inn Coralville

87 2nd St. Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Comfort Inn & Suites Coralville

214 West 9th Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Extended Stay, Hotels, Iowa River Landing

Staybridge Suites Coralville

801 E 2nd Ave Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

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Getting Here

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Rankings

Our area consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. The recognitions listed below are just a few of the accolades our destination has received in the last few years.

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