Cedar Rapids IA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Rochester
7.1%
Tie
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 26,509 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.7 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 7.1% | Tie |
| White | 79.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $344,633 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1992 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 28.3 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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