Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 136,859 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.9 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.1% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 22.4% | 8.5% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.5% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 5.1% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $67,859 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 32.9% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.3% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.4% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.6% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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