Cedar Rapids IA vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.3 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 79.7% | 53.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $507,575 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 56.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, 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%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.6 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 Plano. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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