Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Provo?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Provo?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 7% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,009

+53% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$716

$978

+37% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,128

+13% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$1,381

+3% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$437,100

+147% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$62,800

+7% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$48,010

+3% in Cedar Rapids, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

23.7 yr

+13.2 yr in Cedar Rapids, IA

Homeownership

68.2%

39.9%

+28.3 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

45.0%

+12.1 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

18.2 min

18.5 min

+0.3 min in Provo, UT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

205.7

+22% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Property Crime

2,726

1,280.6

+53% 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

53.4°F

+5.2°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

19.8 in

+14.9 in in Cedar Rapids, IA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

13.4

+16% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$11.84

+47% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / UT)

6.1%

+0.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

4.50%

+0.7 pp in UT

Cedar Rapids vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Provo?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Provo?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).