Cedar Rapids IA vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 125,983 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 79.7% | 45.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $218,978 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Pasadena
14.6%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 39.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 32.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.6% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | 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
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 36.1 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, 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 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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