Burlington vs Cedar Rapids
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Cedar Rapids
The Verdict
Cedar Rapids is 43.9% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $52,119 in Cedar Rapids to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $52,119 in Cedar Rapids.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cedar Rapids equals $107,927 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Cedar Rapids
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Cedar Rapids's 65, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $195,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $925/mo in Cedar Rapids, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 99 in Cedar Rapids. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $470/month in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 95 in Cedar Rapids. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $380 in Cedar Rapids. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 102 in Cedar Rapids. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $70,400 in Cedar Rapids. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,643/month in Cedar Rapids. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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