Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 136,859 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.9 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 7.1% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 46.9% | 8.5% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.5% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 5.1% | Atlanta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $67,859 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $39,824 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 32.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 36.3% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 20.4% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.6% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Atlanta +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Atlanta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, 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 392 in Atlanta. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Atlanta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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