Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Cedar Rapids, IA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 5.5% cheaper than Cedar Rapids, IA. This translates to saving $411 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Cedar Rapids, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Cedar Rapids, IA, you'd need approximately $145,072.507 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Cedar Rapids, IA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 12.0% cheaper than in Cedar Rapids, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,104/month in Cedar Rapids, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $411 per month, or $4927 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Cedar Rapids, IA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Cedar Rapids, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

Current salary in Cedar Rapids, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $411/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.1K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 5.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$411

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.9K

Per year

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

Cedar Rapids, IA

Population:136K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$197K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$145K

Cedar Rapids, IA

The Hawkeye State

136K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 136K residents.

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Cedar Rapids, IA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Cedar Rapids, IA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,126/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $255less	12.0%
🏥Healthcare	$689/mo	$527/mo	↓ $163less	23.6%
⚡All Utilities	$475/mo	$535/mo	↑ $60.28more	12.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,271/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $55.48less	4.4%
📦Other	$1,643/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $36.41less	2.2%
🛒Groceries	$920/mo	$949/mo	↑ $29.73more	3.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 12.0%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$2,126

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$255

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.6%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$689

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$163

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 12.7%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$475

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$60.28

🚗Transportation

↓ 4.4%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$1,271

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$55.48

less

📦Other

↓ 2.2%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$1,643

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$36.41

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.2%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$920

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$29.73

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Cedar Rapids, IA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$757

To$910

↑ $153

1 Bed

From$844

To$950

↑ $106

2 Bed

From$1,104

To$1,160

↑ $56.00

3 Bed

From$1,534

To$1,490

↓ $44.00

Cedar Rapids, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $740–$930/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 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.

$7,125

Monthly in Cedar Rapids, IA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$419

Difference

Home Values

Cedar Rapids

St. Louis

$197K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.9%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +29.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$117K - $432K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 27% less expensive than Cedar Rapids

Calculate payment - Cedar Rapids Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$231

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Cedar Rapids, 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

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Cedar Rapids, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 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.