Cost of Living: San Jose, CA vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

San Jose

California
254
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

San Jose is 291% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$2,617/mo ↑ 183%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 65%
$141,565/yr ↑ 109%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↓ 52%
$1,187,800 ↑ 571%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 85%
$2,775/mo ↑ 156%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 61%
990,054
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.7%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,692/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $20,304/year.

Median household income is $73,706/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

Iowa has a lower income tax rate, making Cedar Rapids slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is San Jose 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 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $1,692/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $73,706/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Iowa?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Cedar Rapids details →

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