Living Cost Compare
Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

vs
Grand Forks

North Dakota

$920/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 $920 in Grand Forks, ND. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Forks, ND, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $63,838 in Grand Forks, ND — about 6% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; North Dakota has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA
Grand Forks, ND

Rent

Studio
$659
$784
+19% in Grand Forks, ND
1 Bedroom
$716
$761
+6% in Grand Forks, ND
2 Bedroom
$997
$947
+5% in Cedar Rapids, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,335
$1,371
+3% in Grand Forks, ND

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$177,100
$243,300
+37% in Grand Forks, ND

Income

Median Household Income
$67,859
$63,838
+6% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,360
$49,760
+1% in Grand Forks, ND

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.9 yr
29.4 yr
+7.5 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA
Homeownership
68.2%
46.5%
+21.7 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
32.9%
39.2%
+6.3 pp in Grand Forks, ND
Avg Commute
18.2 min
14.8 min
+3.4 min in Cedar Rapids, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
264.5
360.3
+36% in Grand Forks, ND
Property Crime
2,726
2,290.6
+16% 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
40.0°F
+8.2°F in Cedar Rapids, IA
Annual Precipitation
34.6 in
20.8 in
+13.8 in in Cedar Rapids, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.9
14.1
+11% in Cedar Rapids, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.16
$18.21
+18% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / ND)
6%
5%
+1.0 pp in IA
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
2.50%
+1.3 pp in IA

Cedar Rapids vs Grand Forks — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Grand Forks?
Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Grand Forks, ND's $920, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Grand Forks?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $30,000 in Grand Forks.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Grand Forks?
Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Grand Forks under North Dakota's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5% 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).