Cedar Rapids IA vs Glendale CA — 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
67.4%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 192,270 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 41.4 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 79.7% | 67.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 13.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $1,205,826 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 35.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 64.1°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Glendale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 30.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 503 in Glendale. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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