Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 136,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 36.9 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 7.1% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 79.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.5% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 5.1% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $67,859 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $39,824 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,226 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 32.9% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 36.3% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 11.1% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 20.4% | Boulder + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.6% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 37.6 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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