Cedar Rapids IA vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 79.7% | 36.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $51,888 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $29,679 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 23.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 26.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $226,456 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 41.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
309
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 309 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 14.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 24.1 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, 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 Milwaukee. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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