2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Iowa City, IA vs Cedar Rapids, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or is it cheaper to live in Iowa City?
- Cedar Rapids is 8.7% less expensive than Iowa City.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
- Cedar Rapids housing costs are 28.5% less expensive than Iowa City housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Iowa City or is Health Care more affordable in Cedar Rapids.
- Health related expenses are 1.6% less in Cedar Rapids.
 Iowa City, IACedar Rapids, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock81.8100
 Food & Groceries99.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.3100
 Housing78.7  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$184,900$338,100
 Utilities94  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.8100
 Miscellaneous117.6  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Iowa City    24 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I was there 5 years. Nothing to do but we’ll go shopping... at Walmart. It lacks so many things. There is no experience here, it jumps on any political band wagon and  More

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Over 5 years ago

Entertainment lacks greatly - especially the Hancher shows. I was hoping after they rebuilt they would be getting better shows there, that didn't happen. One has to  More

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Over 7 years ago

Iowa City is great. It's diverse and never boring. There always a variety of new shops and restaurants to explore and try out. Also watching college kids do stupid  More

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Reviews for Cedar Rapids    39 Reviews

My biggest gripe is the winter weather and more specifically the wind. The wind does not stop blowing the entire winter. It starts around November when NW winds start  More

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Over 4 years ago

Such a horrible place. The racism is too much. You cant even take a walk to the park without hearing a racial insult thrown at you. You cant even go to the store  More

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I grew up here, moved away, came back to raise my family and have been back since 1993. I love this city!!! There is SOOO much to do. There are 3-4 community theatre  More

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