Cedar Falls, IA vs Iowa City, IA

Cedar Falls, IA and Iowa City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Cedar Falls scores 87 while Iowa City scores 88 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cedar Falls is $1,177/month compared to $1,094/month in Iowa City — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Iowa City has cheaper rent, Cedar Falls actually has lower median home values ($252,500 vs $273,600).

Median household income in Cedar Falls is $74,165 compared to $57,533 in Iowa City (+28.9%). Cedar Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cedar Falls spend roughly 19% of their income on rent, less than the 22.8% in Iowa City.