Cedar Rapids IA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
St. Louis
5.1%
Tie
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 45.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 5.1% | Tie |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $55,279 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $38,947 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $58,527 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 19.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 45.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 501 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2418 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 24.0 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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