Cedar Rapids IA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
New York
35.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.0 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 79.7% | 35.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $816,078 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 32.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
New York
1736
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 434 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1736 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 55.4°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 46.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 44.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Cedar 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, PACedar Rapids, IA vs San Antonio, TX