Cedar Rapids IA vs Garland 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 79.7% | 37.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
12.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $31,477 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 25.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
61.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $289,605 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 61.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, 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%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 22.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 69.1°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 49.5 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 32.5 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 Garland. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA vs New York, NYCedar Rapids, IA vs Los Angeles, CACedar Rapids, IA vs Chicago, ILCedar Rapids, IA vs Houston, TXCedar Rapids, IA vs Phoenix, AZCedar Rapids, IA vs Philadelphia, PA