Cedar Rapids IA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.4 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 79.7% | 61.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $427,121 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 64.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1726 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 25.0 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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