Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Houston?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Houston?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,360/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 $1,360 in Houston, TX. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Houston, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 7% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,142

+73% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$716

$1,156

+61% in Houston, TX

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,375

+38% in Houston, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,664

+25% in Houston, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$253,400

+43% in Houston, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$62,894

+7% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$49,410

+0% in Houston, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

34.3 yr

+2.6 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA

Homeownership

68.2%

42.0%

+26.2 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

36.0%

+3.1 pp in Houston, TX

Avg Commute

18.2 min

27.3 min

+9.1 min in Houston, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

1,153.8

+336% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

2,726

4,324.9

+59% in Houston, TX

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

70.3°F

+22.1°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

54.6 in

+20.0 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.52/gal

+8% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs Houston METRO (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

about equal

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$31.89

+44% in Houston, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Houston, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / TX)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Cedar Rapids vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Houston?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Houston?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).