Cedar Rapids IA vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 79.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $280,921 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Waterbury
1524
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1524 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
Waterbury
16.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 40.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 18.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Waterbury + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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