Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Eugene?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $43,000 in Eugene.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Eugene?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Eugene Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Eugene, OR. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Eugene, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $63,836 in Eugene, OR — about 6% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Eugene, OR

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,011

+53% in Eugene, OR

1 Bedroom

$716

$1,080

+51% in Eugene, OR

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,411

+42% in Eugene, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,674

+25% in Eugene, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$435,400

+146% in Eugene, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$63,836

+6% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$49,680

+1% in Eugene, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

35.4 yr

+1.5 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA

Homeownership

68.2%

47.6%

+20.6 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

44.2%

+11.3 pp in Eugene, OR

Avg Commute

18.2 min

18.6 min

+0.4 min in Eugene, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

319.6

+21% in Eugene, OR

Property Crime

2,726

3,348.9

+23% in Eugene, OR

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

52.5°F

+4.3°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

46.1 in

+11.5 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Eugene, OR

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

16.3

+2% in Eugene, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$21.60

+3% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Eugene, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / OR)

None

+6.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

9.90%

+6.1 pp in OR

Cedar Rapids vs Eugene — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Eugene?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Eugene, OR's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Eugene?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $43,000 in Eugene.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Eugene?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Eugene under Oregon's (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% 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).