Cedar Rapids IA vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 79.7% | 46.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $60,583 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $53,714 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 16.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $216,863 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 54.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 660 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2507 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.7°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 50.0 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Little Rock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Little Rock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Little Rock
20.0 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 20.0 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, 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 660 in Little Rock. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Little Rock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.5 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