Median rent is 33% lower in Cedar Rapids ($925/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Cedar Rapids, where the median home runs $177,100 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $67,859 a year).
City A
Cedar Rapids, IA
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Cedar Rapids, IA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Cedar Rapids — median rent of $925/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 33% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $177,100 in Cedar Rapids — 44% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Iowa and 6.25% in Illinois; Cedar Rapids has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Cedar Rapids
Income tax: 5.70%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Cedar Rapids.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Cedar Rapids if you prioritize cheaper rent ($925/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Cedar Rapids cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Cedar Rapids vs Chicago?
Median rent is $925/mo in Cedar Rapids, IA and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Cedar Rapids, IA has the lower rent by about 33%.
Which has higher salaries — Cedar Rapids or Chicago?
Median household income is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids, IA and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Cedar Rapids or Chicago?
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Cedar Rapids income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology