CostIndexUSA

Burlington, VT vs Cedar Rapids, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

VT
Burlington
100.9
overall index
$2,150/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Cedar Rapids
89
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Cedar Rapids is moderately cheaper than Burlington — 11.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Burlington, you would need $70,600 in Cedar Rapids. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing31.2%
Burlington
103.8
Cedar Rapids
71.4
🛒 Groceries3.7%
Burlington
97.3
Cedar Rapids
93.7
🚗 Transportation8.5%
Burlington
106.7
Cedar Rapids
97.6
🏥 Healthcare8.5%
Burlington
96.5
Cedar Rapids
88.3
Utilities33.1%
Burlington
125.6
Cedar Rapids
84

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
$70,600
$9,400 less needed in Cedar Rapids

Formula: salary × (89 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.8821. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Burlington, VT

Median Home Price
$459,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,150
Housing Index
103.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Burlington has 31.2% lower housing costs compared to Cedar Rapids.

Income & Job Market

Burlington, VT

Median Household Income
$95,500
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Population
44,743
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyTourismFinance

Cedar Rapids, IA

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

Affordability at a Glance

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

Burlington, VT
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

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

82% 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.