Cedar Rapids IA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 114,799 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 79.7% | 50.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $36,138 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 16.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $484,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 44.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 326 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 47.0 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 30.1 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 326 in Lowell. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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