Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 136,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.1% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 7.4% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.5% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 5.1% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $67,859 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $39,824 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,226 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 32.9% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 36.3% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 7.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 20.4% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 37.6 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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