Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Meridian?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Meridian?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 47% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 31% higher in Meridian, ID. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,523

+131% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$716

$1,540

+115% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,489

+49% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,893

+42% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$485,000

+174% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$98,686

+45% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$49,100

+1% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

37.4 yr

+0.5 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

68.2%

76.1%

+7.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

44.4%

+11.5 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

18.2 min

22.3 min

+4.1 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

150.3

+43% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Property Crime

2,726

583.5

+79% 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

52.5°F

+4.3°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

11.7 in

+22.9 in in Cedar Rapids, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Meridian, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

14.4

+10% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$11.33

+49% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

5.30%

+1.5 pp in ID

Cedar Rapids vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Meridian?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 47% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Meridian?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).