Cedar Rapids IA vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.2 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 8.5% | 2.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $65,745 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $38,200 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 32.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $400,636 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 58.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, 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%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 22.6 min | Cedar Rapids + |
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 383 in Spokane. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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