Cedar Rapids IA vs Columbus OH — 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
53.3%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 79.7% | 53.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 29.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 7.9% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
$65,327
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
$37,189
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
17.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $65,327 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $37,189 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,300 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 17.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
44.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $248,749 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 44.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 319 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1866 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
15.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
40.2 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 40.2 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Columbus
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Cedar Rapids + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 23.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
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 319 in Columbus. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cedar Rapids has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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