Cedar Rapids IA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 47,823 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 79.7% | 62.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $50,294 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $28,418 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $53,141 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 24.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 19.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $362,476 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 66.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 834 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3177 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 55.7°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
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, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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