Cedar Rapids IA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.6 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 79.7% | 70.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 5.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $538,687 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 52.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 355 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3001 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.6°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 78.3 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 26.5 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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