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

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

Louisville is 14% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$1,069/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 13%
$64,731/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↑ 5%
$221,500 ↑ 25%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 20%
$1,118/mo ↑ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 3%
627,210
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

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $144/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $1,728/year.

Median household income is $3,128/year higher in Cedar Rapids. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is Louisville 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 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Louisville and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $144/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $3,128/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 Louisville or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/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 Louisville details → View Cedar Rapids details →

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