Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Newark?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Newark?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 29% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,111

+69% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$716

$978

+37% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,386

+39% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,695

+27% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$337,800

+91% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$48,416

+29% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$61,430

+24% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

34.8 yr

+2.1 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA

Homeownership

68.2%

24.1%

+44.1 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

17.4%

+15.5 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Avg Commute

18.2 min

33.2 min

+15.0 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

582.5

+120% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

2,726

1,961.8

+28% 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

54.9°F

+6.7°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

46.3 in

+11.6 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Newark, NJ

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

24.9

+57% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$17.68

+20% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / NJ)

6.625%

+0.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

10.75%

+7.0 pp in NJ

Cedar Rapids vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Newark?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Newark?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).