Cost of living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States) is 16% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 60 prices entered by 7 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 18% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States) is 18% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $11 | $14 | - 22% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 | $9 | - 4% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $3.76 | $5.52 | - 32% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.12 | $1.20 | - 7% | |
12 eggs, large | $3.21 | $4.56 | - 30% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.99 | $6 | - 39% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.88 | $8 | - 30% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.17 | $3.25 | - 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.67 | $1.48 | + 12% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $1.82 | - | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | - | - | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.34 | - | - | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $1.23 | - | - | |
Housing | - 22% | |||
Housing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States) is 22% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,077 | $1,589 | - 32% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $849 | - | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $196 | $212 | - 8% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $781 | $1,328 | - 41% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $533 | - | - | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $122 | - | - | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $40 | $53 | - 24% | |
40” flat screen tv | $322 | - | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $90 | - | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 | - | - | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $12 | - | - | |
Clothes | ||||
Clothes in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 | - | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $37 | - | - | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $100 | - | - | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $79 | - | - | |
Transportation | - 2% | |||
Transportation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $21,332 | - | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.84 | $1.00 | - 16% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $32 | - | - | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 | - | - | |
Personal Care | ||||
Personal Care in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $5.00 | - | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $12 | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $78 | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $5.68 | - | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.42 | - | - | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.39 | - | - | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.46 | - | - | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.06 | - | - | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $14 | - | - | |
Entertainment | ||||
Entertainment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $36 | - | - | |
2 tickets to the movies | $22 | - | - | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $58 | - | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $53 | - | - | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $8 | - | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.39 | - | - | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.00 | - | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $419 | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $46 | - | - | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 | - | - | |
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TOTAL | - 16% |

These prices were last updated on February 04, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,500 in Arcata, California you would need to make just about $3,789 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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