Cedar Rapids wins overall by ~2% (COL index)
Cost of living: Cedar Rapids vs Des Moines (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Cedar Rapids buys roughly what $61,412 does in Des Moines (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,464/yr
Favoring Cedar Rapids for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $122/mo in Cedar Rapids, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Cedar Rapids Iowa | Des Moines Iowa | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Better | $950 | Cedar wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Cedar |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Better | $1,200 | Cedar wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Cedar |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,450Better | $1,600 | Cedar wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Cedar |
| Median home price | $225KBetter | $255K | Cedar wins +$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 96 | Cedar wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Better | $12 | Cedar wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Better | $50 | Cedar wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Better | $50 | Cedar wins +$5/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.00 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Better | $142 | Cedar wins +$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $152Better | $155 | Cedar wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $60 | Cedar wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $62KBetter | Des wins +$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.7%Better | 5.7% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.9%Better | 6.9% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $14.00 | Cedar wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $35 | Cedar wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.50 | Cedar wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 85Better | 87 | Cedar wins +2 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 36Wins | Des wins +6 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Cedar Rapids fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Cedar Rapids.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cedar Rapids cheaper than Des Moines?
Yes. Cedar Rapids is 2% cheaper than Des Moines based on overall cost of living indices (85 vs 87, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Cedar Rapids vs Des Moines?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Cedar Rapids is $1,100/month and in Des Moines is $1,200/month. Cedar Rapids is cheaper by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $76,765/year in Des Moines to match a $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Cedar Rapids or Des Moines?
Des Moines has the lower state income tax rate at 5.7% vs 5.7%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. Cedar Rapids offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: Cedar Rapids ↔ Des Moines
How much would you need to earn in Des Moines to match your Cedar Rapids purchasing power?