Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Juneau?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $50,000 in Juneau.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Juneau?

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

Cedar Rapids vs Juneau Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Juneau

Alaska

$1,530/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 $1,530 in Juneau, AK. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 41% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Juneau, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $100,513 in Juneau, AK — about 32% higher in Juneau, AK. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Juneau, AK

Rent

Studio

$659

$993

+51% in Juneau, AK

1 Bedroom

$716

$1,257

+76% in Juneau, AK

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,647

+65% in Juneau, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,949

+46% in Juneau, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$432,500

+144% in Juneau, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$100,513

+48% in Juneau, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

39.8 yr

+2.9 yr in Juneau, AK

Homeownership

68.2%

64.4%

+3.8 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

40.5%

+7.6 pp in Juneau, AK

Avg Commute

18.2 min

15.8 min

+2.4 min in Cedar Rapids, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

515.6

+95% in Juneau, AK

Property Crime

2,726

2,113.1

+22% 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

42.1°F

+6.1°F in Cedar Rapids, IA

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

62.3 in

+27.7 in in Juneau, AK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Juneau, AK

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

28.2

+77% in Juneau, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$17.35

+22% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Juneau, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Juneau, AK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Juneau, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Juneau, AK

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / AK)

None

+6.0 pp in IA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Cedar Rapids vs Juneau — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Juneau?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 41% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Juneau?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $50,000 in Juneau.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Juneau?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Juneau under Alaska's (no state income tax 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).