Cedar Rapids IA vs Des Moines IA — 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
66.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 212,464 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.6 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 79.7% | 66.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 12.0% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
$63,966
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
$36,459
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Des Moines
$61,226
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
14.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $63,966 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $36,459 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,226 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 14.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
$210,703
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
60.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $210,703 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 60.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Des Moines
296
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Des Moines
1452
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 296 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1452 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Des Moines
19.8%
Des Moines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
16.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.8% | Des Moines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 49.9°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Des Moines
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Des Moines
21.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 21.1 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, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Des Moines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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