Cedar Rapids IA vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 107,846 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 79.7% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 3.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
$65,192
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
6.8%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
24.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $65,192 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $29,900 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,052 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 24.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
$248,262
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $248,262 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
1590
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 471 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1590 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Dearborn
17.1%
Dearborn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 21.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.1% | Dearborn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 50.1°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Cedar Rapids +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Dearborn
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 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 +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 22.8 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 471 in Dearborn. 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, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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