CostIndexUSA

Cedar Rapids, IA vs Elk Grove, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Cedar Rapids
89
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
CA
Elk Grove
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent

Cedar Rapids is significantly cheaper than Elk Grove — 19.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cedar Rapids, you would need $95,900 in Elk Grove. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+82.4%
Cedar Rapids
71.4
Elk Grove
130.2
🛒 Groceries+12.3%
Cedar Rapids
93.7
Elk Grove
105.2
🚗 Transportation+7.9%
Cedar Rapids
97.6
Elk Grove
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+7.9%
Cedar Rapids
88.3
Elk Grove
95.3
Utilities+80.1%
Cedar Rapids
84
Elk Grove
151.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Cedar Rapids to see what you'd need to earn in Elk Grove to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Elk Grove, CA
$95,900
$15,900 more needed in Elk Grove

Formula: salary × (106.7 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.1989. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cedar Rapids, IA

Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Elk Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Elk Grove has 82.4% higher housing costs compared to Cedar Rapids.

Income & Job Market

Cedar Rapids, IA

Median Household Income
$73,600
Per Capita Income
$42,000
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
133,562
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceTechnologyAgriculture

Elk Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
176,124
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailTechnologyEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Cedar Rapids, IA
5.6×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Elk Grove, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.