Cedar Rapids IA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
74.3%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 127,200 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 79.7% | 74.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 4.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $64,488 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $37,359 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,527 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 20.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $323,876 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 49.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 501 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2418 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 56.0°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 46.3 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, 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 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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