Cost of Living: Lexington, KY vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

Lexington

Kentucky
82
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

Lexington is 26% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$1,101/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 16%
$67,631/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$67,859/yr ≈ Same
$272,100 ↑ 54%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 35%
$1,160/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 7%
321,122
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.83%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Lexington, KY and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $176/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $2,112/year.

Median household income is $228/year higher in Cedar Rapids. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Lexington is $272,100 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

Kentucky has a lower income tax rate, making Lexington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is Lexington 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 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Lexington and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in Lexington is $1,101/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $176/month.
Which city has higher income, Lexington or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $228/year higher in Cedar Rapids.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Iowa?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Lexington or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. Lexington has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,101/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 Lexington details → View Cedar Rapids details →

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