CostIndexUSA

Cedar Rapids, IA vs Joplin, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IA
Cedar Rapids
89
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Joplin
85.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Joplin is slightly cheaper than Cedar Rapids — 3.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cedar Rapids, you would need $77,000 in Joplin. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing24.4%
Cedar Rapids
71.4
Joplin
54
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Cedar Rapids
93.7
Joplin
94.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Cedar Rapids
97.6
Joplin
97.7
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Cedar Rapids
88.3
Joplin
88.4
Utilities+2.3%
Cedar Rapids
84
Joplin
85.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Joplin, MO
$77,000
$3,000 less needed in Joplin

Formula: salary × (85.7 ÷ 89) = salary × 0.9629. 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×

Joplin, MO

Median Home Price
$216,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
54
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Cedar Rapids has 24.4% lower housing costs compared to Joplin.

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

Joplin, MO

Median Household Income
$57,900
Per Capita Income
$33,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
50,843
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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)

Joplin, MO
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.