Living Cost Compare
Atlanta

Georgia

$1,790/mo est.

vs
Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,790 in Atlanta, GA versus $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 50% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Atlanta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA — about 17% higher in Atlanta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA
Cedar Rapids, IA

Rent

Studio
$1,669
$659
+61% in Atlanta, GA
1 Bedroom
$1,576
$716
+55% in Atlanta, GA
2 Bedroom
$1,701
$997
+41% in Atlanta, GA
3 Bedroom
$1,557
$1,335
+14% in Atlanta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$420,600
$177,100
+58% in Atlanta, GA

Income

Median Household Income
$81,938
$67,859
+17% in Atlanta, GA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,170
$49,360
+4% in Atlanta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.0 yr
36.9 yr
+2.9 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA
Homeownership
46.3%
68.2%
+21.9 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
58.4%
32.9%
+25.5 pp in Atlanta, GA
Avg Commute
26.8 min
18.2 min
+8.6 min in Atlanta, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
603.7
264.5
+56% in Atlanta, GA
Property Crime
3,548.3
2,726
+23% in Atlanta, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
62.6°F
48.2°F
+14.4°F in Atlanta, GA
Annual Precipitation
49.7 in
34.6 in
+15.1 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.85/gal
+2% in Atlanta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
15.9
+3% in Atlanta, GA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$22.16
+43% in Atlanta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Atlanta, GA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IA)
4%
6%
+2.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
3.80%
+1.4 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 50% below Atlanta, GA's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Cedar Rapids?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Cedar Rapids?
Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Cedar Rapids under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).