Cedar Rapids IA vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Ontario
36.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 79.7% | 53.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $671,948 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 58.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, 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%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 17.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.5°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 28.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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