Cedar Rapids IA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.0 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 79.7% | 76.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $575,076 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 58.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.7% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.4°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 28.6 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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