Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Cranston?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $41,000 in Cranston.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Cranston?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Cranston Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/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 $1,330 in Cranston, RI. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $87,716 in Cranston, RI — about 23% higher in Cranston, RI. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Cranston, RI

Rent

Studio

$659

—

1 Bedroom

$716

$1,032

+44% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,438

+44% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,688

+26% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$348,800

+97% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$87,716

+29% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$53,680

+9% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

40.1 yr

+3.2 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

68.2%

67.3%

+0.9 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

35.8%

+2.9 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

18.2 min

23.8 min

+5.6 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

93.1

+65% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Property Crime

2,726

1,065.4

+61% 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

51.6°F

+3.4°F in Cranston, RI

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

47.2 in

+12.6 in in Cranston, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Cranston, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

29.2

+83% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$25.75

+16% in Cranston, RI

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 Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

5.99%

+2.2 pp in RI

Cedar Rapids vs Cranston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Cranston?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Cranston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $41,000 in Cranston.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Cranston?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Cranston under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).