Cedar Rapids IA vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Overland Park
78.6%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.6 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 79.7% | 78.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $487,466 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 449 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2174 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 22.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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