Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 136,859 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.9 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 7.1% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 60.0% | 8.5% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.1% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $61,226 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 32.9% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $210,271 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 36.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 20.4% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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