Cost of Living: Cedar Rapids, IA vs Lafayette, LA (2026)

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65
VS

Lafayette

Louisiana
77

Cedar Rapids is 16% cheaper than Lafayette.

$925/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$1,065/mo ↑ 15%
$67,859/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$61,454/yr ↓ 9%
$177,100 ↓ 30%
Home Value
$251,300 ↑ 42%
$1,084/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,057/mo ↓ 2%
136,859
Population
121,537

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
1.57%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

16.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cedar Rapids, IA and Lafayette, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 65 and 77 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $140/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $1,680/year.

Median household income is $6,405/year higher in Cedar Rapids. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cedar Rapids is $177,100 compared to $251,300 in Lafayette.

Louisiana has a lower income tax rate, making Lafayette slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Rapids vs Lafayette — common questions

Is Cedar Rapids or Lafayette cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cedar Rapids is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 77 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cedar Rapids and Lafayette?
Median rent in Cedar Rapids is $925/month and in Lafayette it's $1,065/month — a difference of $140/month.
Which city has higher income, Cedar Rapids or Lafayette?
Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids and $61,454 in Lafayette. Median household income is $6,405/year higher in Cedar Rapids.
How do taxes compare between Iowa and Louisiana?
Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Cedar Rapids or Lafayette?
It depends on your priorities. Cedar Rapids has a cost index of 65 with median rent of $925/mo, while Lafayette has a cost index of 77 with rent of $1,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cedar Rapids details → View Lafayette details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Cedar Rapids and Lafayette

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