Cedar Rapids IA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 79.7% | 68.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $297,017 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 57.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1960 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Omaha
20.0%
Omaha +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 37.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 20.0% | Omaha + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.1°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Omaha
21.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 21.1 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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