Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
65

St. Louis and Cedar Rapids have a similar cost of living.

$978/mo ↑ 6%
Median Rent
$925/mo ↓ 5%
$55,279/yr ↓ 19%
Median Income
$67,859/yr ↑ 23%
$185,100 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$177,100 ↓ 4%
$1,013/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,084/mo ↑ 7%
293,109
Population
136,859

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.7%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Cedar Rapids, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $53/month cheaper in Cedar Rapids, saving renters about $636/year.

Median household income is $12,580/year higher in Cedar Rapids. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $177,100 in Cedar Rapids.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Cedar Rapids — common questions

Is St. Louis 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 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Cedar Rapids?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Cedar Rapids it's $925/month — a difference of $53/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Cedar Rapids?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $67,859 in Cedar Rapids. Median household income is $12,580/year higher in Cedar Rapids.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Iowa?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Cedar Rapids?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/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 St. Louis details → View Cedar Rapids details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Cedar Rapids

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