Cedar Rapids IA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 112,546 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 79.7% | 56.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $52,170 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $29,894 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,052 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 19.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 53.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
1590
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 471 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1590 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Cedar Rapids + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Lansing
21.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 21.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cedar Rapids has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 10.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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