2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Cedar Falls, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in West Des Moines or is it cheaper to live in Cedar Falls?
- West Des Moines is 14.4% more expensive than Cedar Falls.

Which city has more affordable housing, West Des Moines or Cedar Falls?
- West Des Moines housing costs are 35.9% more expensive than Cedar Falls housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Cedar Falls or is Health Care more affordable in West Des Moines.
- Health related expenses are 2.3% less in West Des Moines.
 Cedar Falls, IAWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock86.6100
 Food & Groceries97.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.4100
 Housing67.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$282,300$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock71.3100
 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 West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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