Ankeny, IA vs Cedar Rapids, IA

The cost of living difference between Ankeny, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA is dramatic. Cedar Rapids is 30.6% cheaper than Ankeny, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ankeny has a cost index of 97 while Cedar Rapids sits at 74, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ankeny is $1,279/month compared to $925/month in Cedar Rapids — a 38% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cedar Rapids is more affordable at $177,100 median vs $311,300.

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $67,859 in Cedar Rapids (+57.1%). While Ankeny is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ankeny spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 16.4% in Cedar Rapids.