City Profile

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Overall Score

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a vibrant city situated on the banks of the Cedar River, known for its rich history in manufacturing and agriculture, and its resilient spirit, especially after overcoming the devastating 2020 derecho. The city has a strong community focus, with a growing economy and a commitment to reinvestment and improvement, making it an attractive place for those seeking a balance of affordability and amenities. People are drawn to Cedar Rapids for its lower-than-average cost of living, robust job market, and a quality of life that offers a small-town feel with big-city opportunities. The city's ongoing development, including significant private investments in data centers and manufacturing, signals a dynamic future and a welcoming environment for new residents and businesses alike. Cedar Rapids is also recognized for its well-run city services and its commitment to innovation, further enhancing its appeal as a place to live, work, and retire.

About Iowa

Iowa, located in the Midwest, is characterized by its expansive farmlands and a generally relaxed, community-focused lifestyle. The state's economy is diverse, with major industries including advanced manufacturing, biosciences, finance and insurance, and its foundational agricultural sector, which leads in corn, soybean, ethanol, and pork production. Living in Iowa is notably affordable, with the cost of living, particularly housing, being significantly lower than the national average. The climate is humid continental, featuring hot, humid summers and cold winters, with seasonal precipitation and susceptibility to various natural disasters like snowstorms, floods, and tornadoes.

137,264

Population

$89K

Avg Salary

Cost Index

63.9

Quality Score

How this 64/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them

Component	Readings used	Points	Weight	Contributes
Safety	Safety score: 72 / 100	72.0	30%	21.6
Affordability	Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 90.0	56.3	25%	14.1
Economy & jobs	Median household income: $70,424 Income needed to live here: $55,000 Unemployment rate: 4.1%	66.9	20%	13.4
Growth	Population growth rate: 0.8% Job growth rate: 2.1%	53.5	15%	8.0
Business climate assessment	Business climate assessment: 68 / 100	68.0	10%	6.8
Overall score				63.9

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Gemini (Tier 1 (fast), q=83), last refreshed 25 September 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

Featured Events

Happening in Cedar Rapids

Featured and sponsored events in Cedar Rapids.

All events

Hosting an event in Cedar Rapids? Featured events appear right here for everyone exploring Cedar Rapids. Post yours free, or get it featured.

Post an event Feature my event

Local Directory

Businesses in Cedar Rapids

Featured local businesses in Cedar Rapids.

List your business

Put your business in front of people moving to Cedar Rapids Featured businesses appear here for everyone researching Cedar Rapids. Add a featured spot to your banner package, or start with a free listing.

Feature my business List free

Performance

Quality Scores

Business

Livability

Affordability

Growth

Expenses

Cost of Living

Cedar Rapids offers a cost of living that is notably lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for residents seeking financial ease. Overall living costs are estimated to be 6-10% below the U.S. average, with housing being a primary driver of this affordability. Daily expenses for goods and services, groceries, utilities, and healthcare also tend to be less than in many larger metropolitan areas. This affordability allows residents to maintain a comfortable lifestyle without the high price tag often associated with major cities.

Average Rent

$1,126/mo

Groceries

$450/mo

Transport

$120/mo

Utilities

$180/mo

Healthcare

$250/mo

Gym membership (monthly)

$45.00

Cinema ticket

$14.00

Restaurant meal (mid-range)

$22.00

Monthly groceries

$400.00

Doctor visit (without insurance)

$150.00

Income

Salary Insights

The economy of Cedar Rapids is robust and diverse, with key industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade. The city has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly with major private investments in data centers and manufacturing facilities, such as those by Google and QTS. This economic momentum is further supported by a strong job market, with new job creation and expansion in various sectors. Cedar Rapids is also recognized for its economic opportunity and job growth, making it a compelling location for professionals and businesses.

The average salary in Cedar Rapids is $89,087 per year. You would need approximately $55,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Retail Trade +2.10% Manufacturing +2.50% Health Care & Social Assistance +1.80% Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction Utilities

Weather

Climate

🌡️

51°F

Avg Temp

☀️

82°F

Summer High

❄️

15°F

Winter Low

🌧️

36.00"

Annual Rain

💧

65.00%

Humidity

🌤️

266

Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Cedar Rapids is primarily car-dependent, with most residents driving alone to work, and an average commute time of around 20 minutes. The city has a car ownership rate similar to the national average, with about two cars per household. While public transit options exist, walkability and bikeability scores are moderate, suggesting that personal vehicles are the most convenient mode of transport for most daily activities.

20 min

Avg Commute

55.00/10

Transit Score

60.00/10

Walkability

High

Car Dependency

At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, with housing being a major contributor.

Affordable housing market with a median home price well below the national average and a competitive market for sellers.

Strong and growing economy with significant private investments in data centers and manufacturing, creating job opportunities.

Low crime rates and a strong safety profile, with violent crime rates below the national average.

High quality of life with well-run city services, a focus on community, and national recognition for livability and affordability.

Drawbacks

Car dependency is high, as public transportation and walkability scores are moderate, making personal vehicles essential for most residents.

While growing, the job market may not offer the same high-paying specialized roles found in larger metropolitan areas, though specific high-paying sectors like healthcare exist.

The city's economy, while growing, is heavily influenced by manufacturing and agriculture, which can be subject to broader economic fluctuations.

Despite overall affordability, rent-to-income ratios can be a concern for some households, with a significant portion of income potentially allocated to housing.

The city has experienced natural disasters, such as the 2020 derecho, which, while demonstrating resilience, can impact infrastructure and community well-being.

Head to Head

Compare Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids VS Des Moines Cedar Rapids VS Elyria Cedar Rapids VS Toledo Cedar Rapids VS Tigard

Explore

Nearby Cities

Marion

Iowa City

Waterloo

Dubuque

Community Q&A

Questions about Cedar Rapids

What people ask about living in and moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Ask a question

Gathering the most common questions about Cedar Rapids…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Open

Senior Care

Cedar Village Senior Residences

Cedar Rapids, IA

Open

Free Quotes

Get quotes from local pros in Cedar Rapids

Tell us what you need and we’ll pass it to companies that serve your area. It’s free, and there’s no obligation.

Your name

Phone (optional)

What do you need?

Details

I agree to be contacted about this request by companies that match it.

Compare Cedar Rapids with any city

See how it stacks up on cost, income, and quality of life.

Start Comparing

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Happening in Cedar Rapids

Businesses in Cedar Rapids

Quality Scores

Cost of Living

Salary Insights

Top Industries

Climate

Transport

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Drawbacks

Compare Cedar Rapids

Nearby Cities

Marion

Iowa City

Waterloo

Dubuque

Questions about Cedar Rapids

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Urblytica's Cost of Living Index calculated relative to the national baseline?

Where does Urblytica source its real estate and housing market data?

What criteria determine whether a city is eligible for a full Urblytica economic and lifestyle profile?

How are historical data revisions handled when federal or municipal agencies update past statistics?

How are U.S. federal income tax brackets and state income taxes integrated into Urblytica's U.S. affordability model?

What role do local property tax millage rates play in calculating U.S. cost-of-living scores?

How does Urblytica account for state-level sales tax and local excise tax variations across U.S. cities?

How are U.S. regional utility costs—such as electricity and natural gas—benchmarked across different climate zones?

Does Urblytica's U.S. cost-of-living index factor in employer-sponsored healthcare or out-of-pocket medical costs?

How does Urblytica measure U.S. school district performance and educational access?

Businesses for Sale in Cedar Rapids

Established Cleaning Company for Sale – Cedar Rapids

Senior Care in Cedar Rapids

Stoney Point Senior Living

Aging Services-Milestones Adlt

CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care

Westover Manor

Garnett Place

West Ridge Care Center

The Views of Cedar Rapids - MeadowView Memory Care

The Views of Cedar Rapids - RidgeView Assisted Living

Prairie Hills at Cedar Rapids

Cottage Grove Place

Cottage Grove Place

Cedar Village Senior Residences

Get quotes from local pros in Cedar Rapids

Compare Cedar Rapids with any city