Cedar Rapids IA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 49.2 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 79.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 8.5% | 2.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $858,307 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 67.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 450 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2150 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 72.5°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 23.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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