Cedar Rapids IA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 107,699 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| White | 79.7% | 49.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $48,536 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $31,324 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $51,690 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 23.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $231,461 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 45.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 400 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1734 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 42.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 21.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 65.0°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 55.0 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 20.0 min | Cedar Rapids + |
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 400 in Tuscaloosa. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA vs New York, NYCedar Rapids, IA vs Los Angeles, CACedar Rapids, IA vs Chicago, ILCedar Rapids, IA vs Houston, TXCedar Rapids, IA vs Phoenix, AZCedar Rapids, IA vs Philadelphia, PA