Cedar Rapids IA vs Flint 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
2.9%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 80,835 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 2.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 34.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 0.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 4.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $36,194 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $20,799 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,052 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 34.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 13.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 54.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
1590
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, 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%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 50.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 19.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 23.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 25.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Cedar Rapids +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Flint
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, 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 +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 25.0 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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