Cedar Rapids IA vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 79.7% | 39.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $58,734 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $28,942 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 18.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 27.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
$235,994
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
60.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $235,994 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 60.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 27.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 64.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 25.1 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, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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