Cedar Rapids IA vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 79.7% | 35.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $29,766 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 15.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 20.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $466,147 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 58.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, 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%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.1°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 33.0 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 Lancaster. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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