Is Cedar Rapids expensive to live in?

Cedar Rapids is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $716 per month ranks #155 of 158 and is 31% lower than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Cedar Rapids?

Average rent in Cedar Rapids, IA runs a studio around $659, a one-bedroom around $716, a two-bedroom around $997, a three-bedroom around $1,335 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $716 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year. The median household income here is $67,859.

How much does it cost to live in Cedar Rapids per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Cedar Rapids is about $900 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Cedar Rapids, IA

Population 136,859 · Iowa

~$900/mo est.1BR $716Home $177,100

Compare with:

The cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $716 a month — 31% lower than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $659 and two-bedrooms $997.

Median household income here is $67,859, about the same as the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $900 before food and transport. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $716

Studio

$659

1 Bedroom

$716

2 Bedroom

$997

3 Bedroom

$1,335

Buying a Home$177,100

Median Home Value

$177,100

Income$67,859

Median Household Income

$67,859

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.9¢/kWh

Electricity

15.9¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$22.16/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.85/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.85/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (IA)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 3.80%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime264.5 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

264.5

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,726

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Cedar Rapids Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 36.9 yrs

Median Age

36.9 yrs

Homeownership

68.2%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Climate48.2°F

Avg Annual Temperature

48.2°F

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

Cedar Rapids cost of living — FAQ

Is Cedar Rapids expensive to live in?: Cedar Rapids is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $716 per month ranks #155 of 158 and is 31% lower than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Cedar Rapids?: Average rent in Cedar Rapids, IA runs a studio around $659, a one-bedroom around $716, a two-bedroom around $997, a three-bedroom around $1,335 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $716 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year. The median household income here is $67,859.
How much does it cost to live in Cedar Rapids per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Cedar Rapids is about $900 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Cedar Rapids with nearby cities

Cedar Rapids vs Davenport Cedar Rapids vs Des Moines Cedar Rapids vs Madison Cedar Rapids vs Rochester Cedar Rapids vs Aurora Cedar Rapids vs Naperville

Nearby cities

Davenport, IA 64 mi Des Moines, IA 105 mi Madison, WI 138 mi Rochester, MN 146 mi Aurora, IL 173 mi Naperville, IL 181 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.