Cedar Rapids IA vs Modesto CA — 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 79.7% | 50.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $34,656 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 13.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 20.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $447,353 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 58.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 63.7°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 30.5 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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