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.

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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.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Coralville
Coralville, Extended Stay, Hotels

Home2 Suites by Hilton Coralville

740 Coral Ridge Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Residence Inn by Marriott Coralville
Coralville, Extended Stay, Hotels

Residence Inn by Marriott Coralville

2681 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Heartland Inn Coralville
Coralville, Hotels

Heartland Inn Coralville

87 2nd St. Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Drury Inn & Suites Coralville
Hotels, Iowa River Landing

Drury Inn & Suites Coralville

815 1st Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Hotel Millwright
Hotels, Surrounding

Hotel Millwright

800 48th Avenue Amana, Iowa 52203 USA
Element Iowa City
Downtown Iowa City, Extended Stay, Hotels

Element Iowa City

314 South Clinton Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA
Comfort Suites Coralville I-80
Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Comfort Suites Coralville I-80

2431 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City
Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City

200 6th Street 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

browse activities &

attractions

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

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Your checklist for football game days in Iowa City

Make the most of your football weekend!
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Downtown Iowa City

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