Cedar Rapids IA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 28,542 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 42.3 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $321,835 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 57.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
1736
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 434 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1736 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 38.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 26.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, 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 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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