Cedar Rapids IA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 79.7% | 40.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $66,772 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $36,694 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 20.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $429,449 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 41.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA vs New York, NYCedar Rapids, IA vs Los Angeles, CACedar Rapids, IA vs Chicago, ILCedar Rapids, IA vs Houston, TXCedar Rapids, IA vs Phoenix, AZCedar Rapids, IA vs Philadelphia, PA