Cost of Living: Santa Rosa, CA vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

Santa Rosa

California
172
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

Santa Rosa is 165% more expensive than Cedar Rapids.

$2,084/mo ↑ 125%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 56%
$97,410/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↓ 30%
$685,000 ↑ 287%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 74%
$2,130/mo ↑ 96%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↓ 49%
177,216
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

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Rosa, CA and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 172 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,159/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $13,908/year.

Median household income is $29,551/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Rosa is $685,000 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Rosa vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is Santa Rosa 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 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Rosa and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in Santa Rosa is $2,084/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $1,159/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Rosa or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $97,410 in Santa Rosa and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $29,551/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Santa Rosa or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with median rent of $2,084/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 Santa Rosa details → View Cedar Rapids details →

More Comparisons

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