NAICS 52

Finance and Insurance in Iowa City, IA

Metro Market Score 59.2 (Challenging), ranked #241 of 331 metros. 292 establishments, 1,909 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 59.2
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national finance and insurance average.

Iowa City's finance and insurance sector saw employment decline over the past year (growth trend: 7.0). That contraction, combined with a 59.2 market score, puts this metro in the lower half for market conditions. Understand why the local market is shrinking before committing.

Industry Concentration
33.8
LQ: 0.51
Rank #112 of 331 metros
Wage Competitiveness
49.2
$88,224 avg wage
Growth Trend
↓ 7.0
Employment growth index
Rank #309 of 331 metros
Wage Pressure
52.7
YoY wage change index

292 Finance and Insurance Firms in Iowa City

292
Establishments
-3.6% YoY
1,909
Total Employment
-7.6% YoY
$88,224
Average Annual Wage
+8.8% YoY
0.51
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Iowa City vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's finance and insurance market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #35/51 for entry risk.

Measure Iowa City IA Statewide
Overall Score 59.2 Challenging 54.3 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #241 of 331 metros #35 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Iowa City

Construction 29.9 Information 30.0 Healthcare and Social Assistance 31.1 Other Services 32.9 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 40.0 Retail Trade 42.0 Accommodation and Food Services 44.5 Administrative and Support Services 51.4 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 62.9

Finance and Insurance in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 24.0 #16/331 Sioux City 49.1 #164/331 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 52.8 #195/331 Des Moines-West Des Moines 60.0 #246/331 Dubuque 60.1 #247/331 Cedar Rapids 75.8 #319/331

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Iowa City's finance and insurance sector, the employment growth component (93.0) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.