Cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA Livability score 72 · cost-of-living index 90.0 (US = 100)
How Cedar Rapids compares Where Cedar Rapids falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 90 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 90 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $244k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $244k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $148 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $148 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 6.9% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 6.9% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.64% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.64% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 300 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 300 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 13.9 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 13.9 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 85° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 85° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 12° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 12° Map of Cedar Rapids Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 90.0 #30 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.6 #103 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.12 #28 of 200 Median household income $75,477 #78 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $43,889 #54 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 3.63% #18 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +3.6% #106 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $244,344 #38 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.2× #6 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +3.6% #39 of 200 Price per square foot $148 #62 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,650 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,234 #16 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 843 Median days on market 9 #43 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 11.2% #140 of 200 Combined sales tax 6.94% #50 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 3.80% Capital gains tax 3.80% #70 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.64% #163 of 200 Median property tax paid $3,067 #125 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,400 #32 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $11,000 #99 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $400 #193 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.00% of value (~$280/yr) #140 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing DMV & license offices 4 Avg commute to work 20 min #8 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 13.9¢/kWh #10 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $125 #10 of 200 Gasoline $3.10/gal #50 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,700 #96 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,200 #3 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $700 #61 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 44 #76 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 900 #66 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 6,600 #181 of 200 Avg summer high 85°F #59 of 200 Avg winter low 12°F #187 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 5b Frost window 05-10 → 10-10
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 300 #28 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 1,800 #52 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 120 #5 of 200 Parks 60 Hiking areas 15 Golf courses 15 Shooting ranges 4 Lakes 4
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.