Cost of Living: Cedar Rapids, IA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Cedar Rapids is 8% cheaper than Abilene.

$925/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↑ 20%
$67,859/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↓ 8%
$177,100 ↓ 1%
Home Value
$178,900 ↑ 1%
$1,084/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↑ 3%
136,859
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.57%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

16.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cedar Rapids, IA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 65 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $181/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $2,172/year.

Median household income is $5,139/year higher in Cedar Rapids. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cedar Rapids is $177,100 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over Iowa's 5.7% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Rapids vs Abilene — common questions

Is Cedar Rapids or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cedar Rapids is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 71 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cedar Rapids and Abilene?
Median rent in Cedar Rapids is $925/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $181/month.
Which city has higher income, Cedar Rapids or Abilene?
Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $5,139/year higher in Cedar Rapids.
How do taxes compare between Iowa and Texas?
Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Cedar Rapids or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Cedar Rapids has a cost index of 65 with median rent of $925/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cedar Rapids details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cedar Rapids and Abilene

Cedar Rapids vs. Hampton Cedar Rapids vs. Dayton Cedar Rapids vs. West Valley City Cedar Rapids vs. Pasadena Cedar Rapids vs. Columbia Cedar Rapids vs. Miramar Abilene vs. Columbia Abilene vs. Athens Abilene vs. Lehigh Acres Abilene vs. Topeka Abilene vs. Lewisville Abilene vs. Pearland