CityCompare

Cedar Rapids IA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
1931

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.

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

About Cedar Rapids & Salt Lake City

View Cedar Rapids IA Profile →View Salt Lake City UT Profile →