Cedar Rapids IA vs Concord NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
54.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 106,518 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.2 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.5% | Concord + |
| White | 79.7% | 54.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 22.1% | Concord + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $84,752 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $40,763 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 41.7% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
$384,688
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
66.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $384,688 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 66.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
1999
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | 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%
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Concord
10.6%
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
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.5% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.6% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.5% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
60.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Concord
45.9 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 60.4°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 45.9 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 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
29.7 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 29.7 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, 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 Concord. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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