Cedar Rapids IA vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 61,773 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 79.7% | 43.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $57,405 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
47.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 47.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 392 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1752 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 64.6°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 45.7 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Macon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Macon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 30.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Macon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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