Cedar Rapids IA vs Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
72.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 72.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 5.9% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $54,550 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $593,739 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 55.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 398 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1999 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 22.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.9°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 51.0 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 25.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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