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

Thousands of community members celebrate during the Iowa City Pride Parade in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Pride

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.”

Read more by clicking here.

view more rankings

Find Your game day headquarters

Visiting to support your team when they play the Hawks or looking for a staycation to make the most of a Hawkeye victory? Here’s the best hotels to kickoff your stay.

Dutch Country Inn
Hotels, Surrounding

Dutch Country Inn

110 East Avenue Kalona, Iowa 52247 USA
Holiday Inn & Kinnick Conference Center
Coralville, Hotels

Holiday Inn & Kinnick Conference Center

1220 1st Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Comfort Inn & Suites Coralville
Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Comfort Inn & Suites Coralville

214 West 9th Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Coralville
Coralville, Hotels

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Coralville

2571 Heartland Place Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Brown Street Inn
Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, Iowa City

Brown Street Inn

430 Brown St. Iowa City, Iowa 52245 USA
Staybridge Suites Coralville
Extended Stay, Hotels, Iowa River Landing

Staybridge Suites Coralville

801 E 2nd Ave Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Graduate by Hilton Iowa City
Downtown Iowa City, Hotels

Graduate by Hilton Iowa City

210 South Dubuque St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA
Hampton Inn Iowa City / University Area
Hotels, Iowa City

Hampton Inn Iowa City / University Area

4 Sturgis Corner Dr. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
Coralville, Hotels

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

970 25th Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

browse activities &

attractions

Discover the perfect mix of culture and adventure across Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty.

getting curious?

Your checklist for football game days in Iowa City

Make the most of your football weekend!
LEARN MORE
a crowd of people outside a building

Downtown Iowa City

Wander through historic Downtown Iowa City with its charming pedestrian mall and eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries.
LEARN MORE

Getting Here

Here, creativity lives on every stage, gallery wall, and page. With a pulse on the past and a passion for what’s next, our cultural scene will leave you inspired long after the final act.
LEARN MORE

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.
LEARN MORE

Restaurants

In Iowa City you may feast upon milk shakes made from whole slices of pie, slurp corn chowder produced from the freshest and best corn on the planet, and order a jar of bacon as an appetizer.
LEARN MORE
explore more
Back To Top