Cedar Rapids vs Hillsboro
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cedar Rapids
Hillsboro
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 35.9%, with Cedar Rapids being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to $117,073 in Hillsboro.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has the same purchasing power as $117,073 in Hillsboro.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $48,047 in Cedar Rapids.
Living in Cedar Rapids vs Hillsboro
Housing Costs
Cedar Rapids's housing index of 65 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $533,000. The $338,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Cedar Rapids compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cedar Rapids and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cedar Rapids vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Cedar Rapids offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Cedar Rapids and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Cedar Rapids vs $384 in Hillsboro. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Cedar Rapids and 103 in Hillsboro. 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 $70,400 in Cedar Rapids and $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,854 and $83,359 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 $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 110 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases