Cedar Rapids IA vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 79.7% | 21.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $28,813 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 14.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 15.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $751,711 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 47.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 22.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 57.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 28.8 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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