Cedar Rapids IA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 135,806 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.2 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 79.7% | 49.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $708,498 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 47.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1524 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 52.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 53.2 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 30.1 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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