Cedar Rapids IA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 68,505 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.5 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 79.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 8.5% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 3.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $561,069 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 46.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Portland
7.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 47.3 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 21.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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