CostIndexUSA

Cedar Rapids, IA vs Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Cedar Rapids
89
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Cedar Rapids is significantly cheaper than Santa Ana — 27.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cedar Rapids, you would need $102,100 in Santa Ana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+138.7%
Cedar Rapids
71.4
Santa Ana
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.8%
Cedar Rapids
93.7
Santa Ana
106.6
🚗 Transportation+12.3%
Cedar Rapids
97.6
Santa Ana
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+12.2%
Cedar Rapids
88.3
Santa Ana
99.1
Utilities+88.8%
Cedar Rapids
84
Santa Ana
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Ana, CA
$102,100
$22,100 more needed in Santa Ana

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.2764. 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×

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Ana has 138.7% 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

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
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)

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.