Cedar Rapids IA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.3 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 79.7% | 63.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 12.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $570,934 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 49.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 460 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2417 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.0°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 22.3 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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