Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Cedar Rapids?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Cedar Rapids under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boise vs Cedar Rapids Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA — about 17% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Cedar Rapids, IA

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$659

+35% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$716

+37% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$997

+26% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,335

+24% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$177,100

+61% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$67,859

+17% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$49,360

+1% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.9 yr

+1.3 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

68.2%

+5.2 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

32.9%

+13.7 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

18.2 min

+0.9 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

264.5

+12% in Boise, ID

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,726

+140% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

48.2°F

+4.3°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

34.6 in

+22.9 in in Cedar Rapids, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

15.9

+11% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$22.16

+96% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / IA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

3.80%

+1.5 pp in ID

Boise vs Cedar Rapids — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Cedar Rapids?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Cedar Rapids?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $29,000 in Cedar Rapids.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Cedar Rapids?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).