Cedar Rapids IA vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Eugene
35.4
Eugene +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
78.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 177,520 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.4 | Eugene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 78.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
$63,836
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
18.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $63,836 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 18.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
47.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $478,489 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 47.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 355 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3001 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.5°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 46.1 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Eugene
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Eugene
19.9 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.9 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 355 in Eugene. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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