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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Cedar Rapids rent up 8% over the past year. Rent in #1-ranked Cedar Rapids has increased from $1,068 to $1,158/mo over the past 12 months — a 8% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
#1 Ranked: Cedar Rapids — cost index 68, rent $1,158/mo, income $67,859
Cedar Rapids rent up 8% over the past year
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | 68 | $1,158 | Details |
| 2 | Des Moines | 67 | $1,141 | Details |
Cedar Rapids rent up 8% over the past year. Rent in #1-ranked Cedar Rapids has increased from $1,068 to $1,158/mo over the past 12 months — a 8% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
The numbers are clear: 2 of 2 cities in Iowa beat the national cost-of-living benchmark of 111. And depending on your situation, cedar Rapids stands out at 68 on the index, with rent of $1,158/month — this is the part where it gets real — and household income of $67,859. Assembled from 2026 Census, Zillow, and BLS data.
At $1,158/month for rent and a cost index of 68, Cedar Rapids is pretty much what you'd expect from a mid-size city in this part of the country. Income is $67,859. There's not much to say about that beyond the obvious.
Here's the thing: and here's the trade-off: Here's the state-level backdrop: Iowa averages a 68 cost index, $1,150/mo rent, and $65,913 income across 2 cities. That's $745 less than the national rent average. That tracks. Midwest stability with bargain-level costs — and that context shapes every city in this ranking.
Bottom line: Cedar Rapids leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. And for many people, click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
135,958 residents · Iowa
So, Cedar Rapids. You get the picture. Cost index of 68 — for better or worse — , rent at $1,158/month. It's lower than the national average. Median income is $67,859, which is below the national median. No major red flags in that number.
210,381 residents · Iowa
Look, at $1,141/month for rent and a cost index of 67, Des Moines is pretty much what you'd expect from a mid-size city in this part of the country. And more often than not, income is $63,966. That alone makes it worth considering (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Cedar Rapids | 5.7% | 6.94% | 1.43% | $48,818 |
2Des Moines | 5.7% | 6.94% | 1.43% | $48,818 |
Cedar Rapids ranks #1 in Iowa for this analysis with a cost index of 68 and median income of $67,859.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Cedar Rapids (ranked #1) has a cost index of 68 and rent of $1,158/mo, while Des Moines (ranked #2) has a cost index of 67 and rent of $1,141/mo — a 1-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Cedar Rapids is $1,158/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $737 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Cedar Rapids is $204,214, which is 3.0× the local median income. That's within the standard 3.5× affordability rule for most local earners. The national median home price is $467,370.
Iowa has a 5.7% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.94%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.43%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.