Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Tacoma?

Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Tacoma?

Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Cedar Rapids vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa

$900/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Cedar Rapids, IA is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 19% higher in Tacoma, WA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$659

$1,178

+79% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$716

$1,332

+86% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$997

$1,693

+70% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,335

$2,094

+57% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$177,100

$454,600

+157% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$67,859

$83,857

+24% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,360

$72,610

+47% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.9 yr

37.3 yr

+0.4 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

68.2%

56.5%

+11.7 pp in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.9%

33.5%

+0.6 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

18.2 min

29.0 min

+10.8 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

264.5

1,064.4

+302% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

2,726

5,695.2

+109% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+3.9°F in Tacoma, WA

Annual Precipitation

34.6 in

43.0 in

+8.4 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.26/gal

+37% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

14.9

+6% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.16

$21.34

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Cedar Rapids, IA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.80%

None

+3.8 pp in IA

Cedar Rapids vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or Tacoma?: Cedar Rapids, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $900 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cedar Rapids than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Cedar Rapids versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Cedar Rapids or Tacoma?: Cedar Rapids is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).