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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Cedar Falls, IA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.5K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 17.3%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,294
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$15.5K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Cedar Falls, IA

Population:41K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$255K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:117
Median Home:$558K

Cedar Falls, IA

The Hawkeye State

41K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 41K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขLive music capital
  • โ€ขMajor tech hub
  • โ€ขSXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Cedar Falls, IA vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 58.0%
Cedar Falls, IA
$1,826
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,058
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 11.0%
Cedar Falls, IA
$1,568
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$172
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 12.6%
Cedar Falls, IA
$673
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$84.71
less
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 16.5%
Cedar Falls, IA
$464
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$76.71
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 5.8%
Cedar Falls, IA
$1,213
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$70.81
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 6.8%
Cedar Falls, IA
$898
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$60.94
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$689
To$1,585
โ†‘ $896
1 Bed
From$763
To$1,685
โ†‘ $922
2 Bed
From$1,004
To$1,995
โ†‘ $991
3 Bed
From$1,294
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,231
Cedar Falls, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $920โ€“$920/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490โ€“$2,350/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,644
Monthly in Cedar Falls, IA
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,355
Difference

Home Values

Cedar Falls
Austin
$255K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +3.5%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +31.7%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$255K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 119% more expensive than Cedar Falls

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $10.7K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$892
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
7.1%
Rate difference

Cedar Falls, IA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Iowa State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.7K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.7K
Take-Home Pay
$8,524/month
$102.3K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Cedar Falls, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:1.5%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Cedar Falls
Austin
45 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
67.5%
Good Air Days
42.6%
92 Moderate
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒกโ˜€๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.4ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
25 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Iowa and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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Similar cost to Austin, TX

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