Cedar Rapids IA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 86,973 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 79.7% | 77.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $33,579 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $60,713 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 25.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $509,396 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 60.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1931 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.5°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 24.5 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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