NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Iowa City, IA

Metro Market Score 42.0 (Moderate), ranked #56 of 378 metros. 580 establishments, 10,311 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 42.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Moderate

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

⚡Rising Wages

At #56 of 378 metros, Iowa City's retail trade sector scores 42.0 on the market index. Concentration (46.3), wage levels (14.0), and growth (57.4) all track close to the median. Local factors like lease costs and client access will matter more than macro signals.

Industry Concentration
46.3
LQ: 1.12
Rank #175 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
14.0
$34,056 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 57.4
Employment growth index
Rank #162 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
70.5
YoY wage change index

580 Retail Trade Firms in Iowa City

580
Establishments
-0.5% YoY
10,311
Total Employment
+0.0% YoY
$34,056
Average Annual Wage
+1.7% YoY
1.12
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Iowa City vs Iowa Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Iowa overall. The state ranks #16/51 for entry risk.

Measure Iowa City IA Statewide
Overall Score 42.0 Moderate 40.8 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #56 of 378 metros #16 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 Accommodation and Food Services 44.5 Administrative and Support Services 51.4 Finance and Insurance 59.2 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 62.9

Retail Trade in Other Iowa Metros

Ames 28.5 #7/378 Dubuque 34.4 #20/378 Des Moines-West Des Moines 34.7 #23/378 Cedar Rapids 45.2 #86/378 Waterloo-Cedar Falls 51.3 #155/378 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 60.0 #252/378 Sioux City 60.7 #264/378

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 retail trade sector, the wage pressure component (70.5) 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.