Albany GA vs Cedar Rapids IA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
White
Albany
18.9%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 136,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 36.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 7.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 18.9% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 76.3% | 8.5% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 5.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $210,271 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 36.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 20.4% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Albany +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Albany, GA vs New York, NYAlbany, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAlbany, GA vs Chicago, ILAlbany, GA vs Houston, TXAlbany, GA vs Phoenix, AZAlbany, GA vs Philadelphia, PA