CostIndexUSA

Cedar Rapids, IA vs Memphis, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Cedar Rapids
89
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
TN
Memphis
92.2
overall index
$1,425/mo rent

Cedar Rapids is slightly cheaper than Memphis — 3.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cedar Rapids, you would need $82,900 in Memphis. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+11.8%
Cedar Rapids
71.4
Memphis
79.8
🛒 Groceries+2.7%
Cedar Rapids
93.7
Memphis
96.2
🚗 Transportation+2.6%
Cedar Rapids
97.6
Memphis
100.1
🏥 Healthcare+2.6%
Cedar Rapids
88.3
Memphis
90.6
Utilities11.8%
Cedar Rapids
84
Memphis
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Memphis, TN
$82,900
$2,900 more needed in Memphis

Formula: salary × (92.2 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.0360. 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×

Memphis, TN

Median Home Price
$238,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,425
Housing Index
79.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Memphis has 11.8% 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

Memphis, TN

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
Population
633,104
Top Industries
LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingTourismGovernment

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)

Memphis, TN
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.