Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Concord?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Concord?

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

Cedar Rapids vs Concord Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Concord

New Hampshire

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Concord, NH. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Concord, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $83,701 in Concord, NH — about 19% higher in Concord, NH. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Concord, NH

Rent

Studio

$659

$876

+33% in Concord, NH

1 Bedroom

$716

$1,134

+58% in Concord, NH

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,475

+48% in Concord, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,769

+33% in Concord, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$323,700

+83% in Concord, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$83,701

+23% in Concord, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

40.7 yr

+3.8 yr in Concord, NH

Homeownership

68.2%

57.4%

+10.8 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

40.1%

+7.2 pp in Concord, NH

Avg Commute

18.2 min

23.2 min

+5.0 min in Concord, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

180.7

+32% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Property Crime

2,726

1,251.5

+54% 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

48.2°F

46.4°F

+1.8°F in Cedar Rapids, IA

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

40.6 in

+6.0 in in Concord, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Concord, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

27.0

+70% in Concord, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$21.67

+2% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Concord, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Concord, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Concord, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Concord, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / NH)

None

+6.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Cedar Rapids vs Concord — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Concord?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Concord?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $45,000 in Concord.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Concord?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).