Cedar Rapids IA vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
73.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 79.7% | 73.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 7.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 16.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $429,253 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 46.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 309 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 20.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 21.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, 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 309 in Madison. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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