Cedar Rapids IA vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 132,893 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 79.7% | 36.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $53,771 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $34,482 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 25.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $330,564 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 28.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1524 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 14.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.2°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 47.1 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
New Haven
75.0%
New Haven +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Haven + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
New Haven
23.0 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 23.0 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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA vs New York, NYCedar Rapids, IA vs Los Angeles, CACedar Rapids, IA vs Chicago, ILCedar Rapids, IA vs Houston, TXCedar Rapids, IA vs Phoenix, AZCedar Rapids, IA vs Philadelphia, PA