Last updated 2026-07-10 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Below the national average overall, with housing the main reason Cedar Rapids stays affordable.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 85
Median 2BR rent: $1,000/mo
Housing: 63 vs 100
Groceries: 100 vs 100
Utilities: 103 vs 100
Transportation: 101 vs 100
Healthcare: 96 vs 100
Cedar Rapids offers four real seasons with cold winters and an affordable place to land in Iowa. Housing is the line item that moves your budget most, anchored here to a real median 2BR rent of about $1,000/mo.