Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Cheyenne?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Cheyenne, WY's $990, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Cheyenne?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Cheyenne under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Cheyenne Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Cheyenne

Wyoming

$990/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $900 in Cedar Rapids, IA versus $990 in Cheyenne, WY. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cheyenne, WY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $77,176 in Cheyenne, WY — about 12% higher in Cheyenne, WY. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Cheyenne, WY

Rent

Studio

$659

$756

+15% in Cheyenne, WY

1 Bedroom

$716

$824

+15% in Cheyenne, WY

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,036

+4% in Cheyenne, WY

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,478

+11% in Cheyenne, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$311,200

+76% in Cheyenne, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$77,176

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$51,540

+4% in Cheyenne, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

38.9 yr

+2.0 yr in Cheyenne, WY

Homeownership

68.2%

67.7%

+0.5 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

about equal

Avg Commute

18.2 min

16.1 min

+2.1 min in Cedar Rapids, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

334.6

+27% in Cheyenne, WY

Property Crime

2,726

3,030.3

+11% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

48.2°F

46.5°F

+1.7°F in Cedar Rapids, IA

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

15.9 in

+18.7 in in Cedar Rapids, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Cheyenne, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

15.2

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$18.28

+18% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Cheyenne, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Cheyenne, WY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Cheyenne, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Cheyenne, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / WY)

+2.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Cedar Rapids vs Cheyenne — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Cheyenne?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Cheyenne, WY's $990, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Cheyenne?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $33,000 in Cheyenne.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Cheyenne?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Cheyenne under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).