City Comparison

Cedar Rapids vs Ogden

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cedar Rapids

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

Ogden

Utah
107
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

The Verdict

23.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.4%, with Cedar Rapids being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to $97,866 in Ogden.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Cedar Rapids
112
Ogden
Groceries
99
Cedar Rapids
92
Ogden
Utilities
95
Cedar Rapids
80
Ogden
Transportation
92
Cedar Rapids
101
Ogden
Healthcare
102
Cedar Rapids
91
Ogden

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has the same purchasing power as $97,866 in Ogden.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $57,477 in Cedar Rapids.

Living in Cedar Rapids vs Ogden

Housing Costs

Cedar Rapids's housing index of 65 is lower Ogden's 112, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $385,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Cedar Rapids compared to $1,250/mo in Ogden, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cedar Rapids and 92 in Ogden. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cedar Rapids vs $437/month in Ogden. Ogden offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Cedar Rapids and 80 in Ogden. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Cedar Rapids vs $320 in Ogden. 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 91 in Ogden. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $70,100 in Ogden. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,854 and $65,514 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 $1,636/month in Ogden. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Ogden, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Rapids is 23.4% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,866 in Ogden, based on the cost of living difference.
Cedar Rapids's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Ogden's is 112 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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