Cedar Rapids IA vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 99,507 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 66.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $64,146 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $33,835 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 11.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 24.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $313,452 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 63.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 22.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 19.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 68.5°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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