Iowa City is a quintessential college town that combines a world-renowned educational and biomedical research institution with a welcoming and affordable community surrounded by the rolling hills, forests, and rivers of Eastern Iowa.  It is easy to see why Iowa City was ranked in 2021 as the #58 city out of over 2100 midsize cities according to liveability.com, the #13 Most Livable College Town by SmartAsset.com and #13 as the Happiest Cities in the United States by USA Today. Importantly, the University of Iowa recognizes that a high quality of life is critical for a productive career. The University of Iowa has a number of resources at Build a Career|Build a Life.

Videos about the University of Iowa and living in Iowa City:

Getting Around Town

The Iowa City Metro area is a thriving community of ~175,000 people composed of the cities of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty and surrounding communities such as Solon and Tiffin. The Insider's Guide to College consistently recognizes Iowa City as one of the best places in the country to live, learn, work, start a business, raise a family, and retire. These attributes are why Iowa City is consistently rated as one of the most livable cities in the United States.

Downtown Iowa City

Arts and Entertainment

Iowa City is an internationally known city of the arts. Iowa City is the home of the world-renowned Iowa Writers Workshop, which has graduated 29 Pulitzer Prize winners and 8 US Poets Laureates. Graduates of the Iowa Writers Workshop and Iowa Playwrights Workshop have written many iconic movies and TV shows, including Rebel Without a Cause, A Quiet Place, Juno, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Girls and Game of Thrones, leading to the the University of Iowa being dubbed “Hollywood U.” Because of this, Iowa City was the third city in the world, and the first city in the USA, to be named a UNESCO City of Literature.

Sports and Athletics

The University of Iowa is the home of the Hawkeyes, who are members of the Big 10 Conference. Kinnick Stadium is the home of Hawkeye Football and the newest tradition in college sports, the Kinnick Wave, where at the end of the first quarter of every home game, 70,000 people turn and wave to the patients in the Steed Family Children’s Hospital. Carver Hawkeye Arena is the home of Hawkeye Basketball and Hawkeye Wrestling, who are all perineal contenders for Big 10 and NCAA Championships. In addition to the Hawkeyes, there are numerous youth sports leagues and professional sports teams.  

Nature and Recreation

The Iowa City metro area has a wealth of recreational activities for all ages. The University of Iowa has outstanding wellness facilities and programs open to faculty and their families. The University of Iowa campus is also just minutes from outdoor parks and recreational areas.