Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 136,859 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.9 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 7.5% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.5% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 5.1% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $67,859 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $39,824 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,226 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 32.9% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.3% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.4% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 20.4% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.6% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 37.6 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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