Cedar Rapids IA vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 79.7% | 51.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $45,845 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $27,570 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 29.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 30.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $215,134 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 41.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 434 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1736 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 9.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 41.5 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
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 434 in Syracuse. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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