Cedar Rapids IA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 115,415 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.9 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 79.7% | 76.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 5.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $441,257 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 49.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Manchester
17.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 44.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 25.7 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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