Cedar Rapids IA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 79.7% | 61.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 6.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $871,599 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 44.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 383 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3409 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.6°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 28.8 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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