Cedar Rapids IA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 79.7% | 16.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $48,416 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $25,509 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 10.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 24.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $482,675 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 24.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 23.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 18.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 54.9°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 46.3 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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