Cedar Rapids IA vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 81,679 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 47.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $56,864 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $35,847 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $55,297 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 23.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 61.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 643 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2824 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 45.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 62.4 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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