Cedar Rapids IA vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 79.7% | 62.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $541,899 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 49.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 25.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 512 in Denver. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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