Burlington, IA vs Cedar Falls, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Burlington is 20.2% cheaper than Cedar Falls. With a cost index of 70 vs 87, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Burlington to Cedar Falls should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Burlington is $931/month compared to $1,177/month in Cedar Falls — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Burlington is more affordable at $115,800 median vs $252,500.

Median household income in Burlington is $55,274 compared to $74,165 in Cedar Falls (-25.5%). While Cedar Falls is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Burlington spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 19% in Cedar Falls.