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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

El Paso and Cedar Rapids have a similar cost of living.

$1,041/mo ↑ 13%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 11%
$58,734/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↑ 16%
$171,700 ↓ 3%
Home Value
$177,100 ↑ 3%
$1,044/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↑ 4%
678,147
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $116/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $1,392/year.

Median household income is $9,125/year higher in Cedar Rapids. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is El Paso or Cedar Rapids cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cedar Rapids is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $116/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $9,125/year higher in Cedar Rapids.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Iowa?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Cedar Rapids has a cost index of 65 with rent of $925/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Cedar Rapids details →

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