Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

Nashville is 69% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$1,486/mo ↑ 61%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 38%
$75,197/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↓ 10%
$383,100 ↑ 116%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 54%
$1,471/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 26%
684,298
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.7%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.64%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $561/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $6,732/year.

Median household income is $7,338/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is Nashville 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 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $561/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $7,338/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Iowa?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/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.
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