2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Des Moines, IA vs Cedar Rapids, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Cedar Rapids or is it cheaper to live in Des Moines?
- Cedar Rapids is 5.5% less expensive than Des Moines.

Which city has more affordable housing, Cedar Rapids or Des Moines?
- Cedar Rapids housing costs are 2.6% less expensive than Des Moines housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Des Moines or is Health Care more affordable in Cedar Rapids.
- Health related expenses are 0.1% less in Cedar Rapids.
 Des Moines, IACedar Rapids, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock81.8100
 Food & Groceries96.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock102.3100
 Housing57.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$184,900$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock68.8100
 Miscellaneous112.2  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

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Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

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Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

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Reviews for Cedar Rapids    39 Reviews

My biggest gripe is the winter weather and more specifically the wind. The wind does not stop blowing the entire winter. It starts around November when NW winds start  More

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Over 4 years ago

Such a horrible place. The racism is too much. You cant even take a walk to the park without hearing a racial insult thrown at you. You cant even go to the store  More

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I grew up here, moved away, came back to raise my family and have been back since 1993. I love this city!!! There is SOOO much to do. There are 3-4 community theatre  More

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