Cedar Rapids IA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.2 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 79.7% | 69.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $39,586 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 31.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
64.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $435,670 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 64.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 450 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2150 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 71.8°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 26.7 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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