2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Cedar Falls, IA vs Chicago, IL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or is it cheaper to live in Cedar Falls?
- Chicago is 39.6% more expensive than Cedar Falls.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chicago or Cedar Falls?
- Chicago housing costs are 48.1% more expensive than Cedar Falls housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Cedar Falls or is Health Care more affordable in Chicago.
- Health related expenses are 16.0% less in Chicago.
 Cedar Falls, IAChicago, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries97.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing67.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$284,100$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock138.5100
 Miscellaneous105.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Cedar Falls    7 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

I lived in Cedar Falls while attending the University of Northern Iowa. It's a great college town. Main street is nice and there are plenty of restaurants to choose  More

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Over 12 years ago

We've lived in Cedar Falls since moving here from the great chicago land area in 2006. The school system in Cedar Falls and in Iowa in general if VERY strong.   More

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When I was preparing to moved to Cedar Falls, IA I was repeatedly met with the remark "IOWA!, what's there? corn?" But apart from the bitter winters, tornadoes, and  More

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Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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