Cost of Living: San Antonio, TX vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

San Antonio is 26% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$1,258/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 26%
$62,917/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↑ 8%
$219,700 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 19%
$1,235/mo ↑ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 12%
1,458,954
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $333/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $3,996/year.

Median household income is $4,942/year higher in Cedar Rapids. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is San Antonio 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 San Antonio and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $333/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $4,942/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 San Antonio or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Cedar Rapids details →

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