Cedar Rapids IA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 79.7% | 39.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 14.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $580,173 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 41.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 398 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1999 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 24.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 32.8 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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