Cedar Rapids IA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 79.7% | 53.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 7.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 14.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 32.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $411,323 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 57.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 450 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2150 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 17.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 72.1°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.7 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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