Cedar Rapids IA vs Surprise 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 41.6 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 75.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $39,604 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 31.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $422,520 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, 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%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 32.8 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 Surprise. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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