City Comparison

Cedar Rapids vs Round Rock

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cedar Rapids

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

Round Rock

Texas
101
Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$100,500
Median Income

The Verdict

18.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.8%, with Cedar Rapids being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to $92,378 in Round Rock.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Cedar Rapids
92
Round Rock
Groceries
99
Cedar Rapids
96
Round Rock
Utilities
95
Cedar Rapids
109
Round Rock
Transportation
92
Cedar Rapids
99
Round Rock
Healthcare
102
Cedar Rapids
96
Round Rock

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has the same purchasing power as $92,378 in Round Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Round Rock equals $60,891 in Cedar Rapids.

Living in Cedar Rapids vs Round Rock

Housing Costs

Cedar Rapids's housing index of 65 is lower Round Rock's 92, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $413,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Cedar Rapids compared to $1,400/mo in Round Rock, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Cedar Rapids and 96 in Round Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Cedar Rapids vs $456/month in Round Rock. 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 109 in Round Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Cedar Rapids vs $436 in Round Rock. 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 Round Rock. 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 $100,500 in Round Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,854 and $99,505 respectively. Round Rock residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,643/month to housing in Cedar Rapids vs $2,345/month in Round Rock. In Cedar Rapids, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Round Rock, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cedar Rapids is 18.8% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Cedar Rapids has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,378 in Round Rock, based on the cost of living difference.
Cedar Rapids's housing index is 65 with median homes at $195,000, while Round Rock's is 92 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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