>>Come to NYC and you will seldomly find bellow 90K.
>
>What's the cost of living in NYC in relation to what might be considered a 'larger city' in Iowa.

Well, NYC is one of the most expensive cities in USA if we don't consider CA, where I believe the cost of living is higher. I don't know Iowa, but renting an apt. in Columbus, OH was 3 times cheaper than similar (and worse) apt. in NYC.