Cedar Rapids IA vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
West Covina
36.7%
West Covina +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
20.0%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 107,436 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 40.1 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 36.7% | West Covina + |
| White | 79.7% | 20.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 4.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
West Covina
$98,570
West Covina +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
West Covina
$77,230
West Covina +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
West Covina
9.7%
West Covina +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $98,570 | West Covina + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $38,100 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | West Covina + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 9.7% | West Covina + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 29.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
60.8%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $851,613 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 60.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
2388
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | 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
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
West Covina
75.0%
West Covina +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | West Covina + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Covina + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
West Covina
36.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 36.1 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Covina leads in median household income at $98,570, 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 503 in West Covina. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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