Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Cary
60.1%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Cary
7.6%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 136,859 | Cary + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 36.9 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 7.1% | Cary + |
| White | 60.1% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 7.6% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 20.4% | 2.5% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.1% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | $67,859 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | $39,824 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.9% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | 11.8% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | 32.9% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 36.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.1% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.4% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 7.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 14.6% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | 50.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Cary +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cary + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, 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 398 in Cary. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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