Cedar Rapids IA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 79.7% | 28.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 15.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $664,939 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 28.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 40.3 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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