Cedar Rapids IA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 79.7% | 60.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 7.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $59,120 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 16.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $468,328 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 41.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 71.3°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 23.2 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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