Abilene vs Cedar Rapids
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Cedar Rapids
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 2.4%, with Abilene being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to $76,875 in Cedar Rapids.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $76,875 in Cedar Rapids.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cedar Rapids equals $73,171 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Cedar Rapids
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Cedar Rapids's 65, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $195,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $925/mo in Cedar Rapids, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 99 in Cedar Rapids. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $470/month in Cedar Rapids. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 95 in Cedar Rapids. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $380 in Cedar Rapids. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 102 in Cedar Rapids. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $70,400 in Cedar Rapids. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $85,854 respectively. Cedar Rapids residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,643/month in Cedar Rapids. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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