City Comparison

Cedar Rapids vs Killeen

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cedar Rapids

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

Killeen

Texas
84
Very Affordable
$235,000
Median Home
$975/mo
Median Rent
$56,400
Median Income

The Verdict

2.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.4%, with Cedar Rapids being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to $76,829 in Killeen.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Cedar Rapids
56
Killeen
Groceries
99
Cedar Rapids
96
Killeen
Utilities
95
Cedar Rapids
108
Killeen
Transportation
92
Cedar Rapids
95
Killeen
Healthcare
102
Cedar Rapids
96
Killeen

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has the same purchasing power as $76,829 in Killeen.

Conversely, $75,000 in Killeen equals $73,214 in Cedar Rapids.

Living in Cedar Rapids vs Killeen

Housing Costs

Cedar Rapids's housing index of 65 is higher Killeen's 56, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $235,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Cedar Rapids compared to $975/mo in Killeen, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cedar Rapids and 96 in Killeen. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cedar Rapids vs $456/month in Killeen. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Cedar Rapids and 108 in Killeen. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Cedar Rapids vs $432 in Killeen. 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 96 in Killeen. 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 $56,400 in Killeen. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,854 and $67,143 respectively. Cedar Rapids residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,643/month to housing in Cedar Rapids vs $1,316/month in Killeen. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Killeen, median rent of $975/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Rapids is 2.4% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,829 in Killeen, based on the cost of living difference.
Cedar Rapids's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Killeen's is 56 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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