Cedar Rapids IA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 79.7% | 54.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $51,468 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $28,819 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 24.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 28.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 48.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 442 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2339 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 36.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 20.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 20.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 66.6°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.7 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 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