City Comparison

Cedar Rapids vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cedar Rapids

Iowa
82
Very Affordable
$195,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$70,400
Median Income

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

The Verdict

44.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 44.2%, with Cedar Rapids being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to $134,451 in Concord.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
65
Cedar Rapids
210
Concord
Groceries
99
Cedar Rapids
112
Concord
Utilities
95
Cedar Rapids
147
Concord
Transportation
92
Cedar Rapids
137
Concord
Healthcare
102
Cedar Rapids
121
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has the same purchasing power as $134,451 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $41,837 in Cedar Rapids.

Living in Cedar Rapids vs Concord

Housing Costs

Cedar Rapids's housing index of 65 is lower Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $680,000. The $485,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,524 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Cedar Rapids compared to $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $1,425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cedar Rapids and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cedar Rapids vs $532/month in Concord. Cedar Rapids offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Cedar Rapids and 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Cedar Rapids vs $588 in Concord. 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 102 in Cedar Rapids and 121 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,400 in Cedar Rapids and $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,854 and $74,150 respectively. Cedar Rapids residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,643/month to housing in Cedar Rapids vs $2,543/month in Concord. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 145 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Rapids is 44.2% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $134,451 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Cedar Rapids's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Concord's is 210 with median homes at $680,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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