Cedar Rapids IA vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Sandy
36.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 94,723 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 79.7% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 8.5% | 0.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $60,713 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $672,082 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1931 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 24.6 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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