Cedar Rapids IA vs Concord CA — 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%
Concord, CA
California · Population: 124,260
- Median HH Income$109,195
- Median Home Price$739,280
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
124,260
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
38.6
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Concord
25.6%
Concord +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
48.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
3.9%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Concord
13.5%
Concord +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Concord
32.3%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 124,260 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.6 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 25.6% | Concord + |
| White | 79.7% | 48.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 13.5% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 32.3% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Concord
$109,195
Concord +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Concord
$49,514
Concord +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Concord
$77,230
Concord +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Concord
8.9%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Concord
37.8%
Concord +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $109,195 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $49,514 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 8.9% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 37.8% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
$739,280
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
61.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $739,280 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 61.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Concord
29.1%
Concord +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Concord
10.8%
Concord +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Concord
16.2%
Concord +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Concord
10.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 29.1% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.8% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.4% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
61.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Concord
18.1 in
Concord +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 61.7°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 18.1 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Concord
7.9 µg/m³
Concord +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
34.9 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 34.9 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $109,195, 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 503 in Concord. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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