Cedar Rapids IA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 79.7% | 61.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 16.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $334,719 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 48.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1992 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 24.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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