Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Jackson?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Jackson?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/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 $1,000 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jackson, MS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 36% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,085

+65% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$716

$816

+14% in Jackson, MS

2 Bedroom

$997

$991

+1% in Cedar Rapids, IA

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,121

+16% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$108,200

+39% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$43,238

+36% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$42,850

+13% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

34.7 yr

+2.2 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA

Homeownership

68.2%

48.6%

+19.6 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

28.6%

+4.3 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Avg Commute

18.2 min

20.2 min

+2.0 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

—

Property Crime

2,726

—

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

65.3°F

+17.1°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

54.3 in

+19.7 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

14.9

+7% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$29.04

+31% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

4.00%

+0.2 pp in MS

Cedar Rapids vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Jackson?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Jackson?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% 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).