Cedar Rapids IA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 92,577 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 40.0 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 79.7% | 65.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $57,405 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $662,209 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 392 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1752 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | 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
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Roswell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Roswell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 29.6 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Roswell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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