salaryRent is lower than in 53% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 14 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $63,120 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 76 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Cedar Falls?
Share of households by yearly income. 29.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Cedar Falls
| Size | Cedar Falls | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $977 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $992 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,262 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,399 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,957 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Cedar Falls overall?
Everyday prices in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area are 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Cedar Falls
Life in Cedar Falls
What jobs pay in Cedar Falls
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $138,690 | 13.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,880 | 14.3% |
| Lawyer | $126,570 | 15.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | 15.0% |
| Software Developer | $113,970 | 16.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,430 | 19.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,500 | 23.0% |
| Operations Manager | $82,400 | 23.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,140 | 23.6% |
| Police Officer | $78,970 | 24.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | 24.6% |
| Accountant | $73,530 | 25.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,000 | 29.6% |
| Electrician | $63,420 | 29.9% |
| Plumber | $62,200 | 30.4% |
| Firefighter | $61,190 | 30.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,780 | 31.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,400 | 31.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,950 | 31.6% |
| Truck Driver | $58,730 | 32.2% |
| Carpenter | $55,840 | 33.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,440 | 39.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,660 | 41.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,530 | 47.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,930 | 48.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,420 | 53.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,270 | 60.6% |
| Cashier | $29,320 | 64.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $21,490 | 88.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Cedar Falls?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $251 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $263,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,360 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cedar Falls, IA?
Renting in Cedar Falls costs a median of about $1,578 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Cedar Falls?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $63,120 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Cedar Falls cheap or expensive?
Cedar Falls is rated OK: rent takes 22.8% of the typical household income of $83,030. It ranks 76th cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Cedar Falls?
The median homeowner in Cedar Falls pays $3,702 a year in property taxes, about 1.40% of the median home value.
Is Cedar Falls more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Cedar Falls?
The median home value in Cedar Falls is $263,600, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
40,888 people live in Cedar Falls. Numbers are typical (middle) values.