Cedar Rapids wins overall by ~16% (COL index)
Cost of living: Provo vs Cedar Rapids (2026)
A $64,000 salary in Provo buys roughly what $54,949 does in Cedar Rapids (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
−$4,425/yr
Favoring Cedar Rapids for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $369/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~41 months and still keep ~$44/mo for dining out.
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 | Provo Utah | Cedar Rapids Iowa | Who wins | Your impact at $64K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100 | $900Wins | Cedar wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Cedar |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400 | $1,100Wins | Cedar wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Cedar |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850 | $1,450Wins | Cedar wins −$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Cedar |
| Median home price | $480K | $225KWins | Cedar wins −$255K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98 | 94Better | Cedar wins -4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13 | $11Wins | Cedar wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55 | $48Wins | Cedar wins −$7/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $62 | $45Wins | Cedar wins −$17/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.35 | $3.00Better | Cedar wins −$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $138Better | $140 | Provo wins +$2/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Better | $152 | Provo wins +$4/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $63 | $58Better | Cedar wins −$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $70KWins | $58K | Provo wins −$12K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Wins | 5.7% | Provo wins +1.0 pp | $640/yr saves in Provo |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2% | 6.9%Better | Cedar wins -0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $13.00Wins | Cedar wins −$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38 | $33Wins | Cedar wins −$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.00Wins | Cedar wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 99 | 85Wins | Cedar wins -14 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30Better | 30 | — | — |
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
Park ~$3,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
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Frequently asked questions
Is Provo cheaper than Cedar Rapids?
No. Cedar Rapids is 16% cheaper than Provo based on overall cost of living indices (85 vs 99, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Provo vs Cedar Rapids?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Provo is $1,400/month and in Cedar Rapids is $1,100/month. Provo is more expensive by 27%.
How much do I need to earn in Cedar Rapids to match a $75,000 salary in Provo?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $64,394/year in Cedar Rapids to match a $75,000 salary in Provo. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Provo or Cedar Rapids?
Provo has the lower state income tax rate at 4.7% vs 5.7%. The difference is 1.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Provo to Cedar Rapids?
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
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