Cedar Rapids IA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
74.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 115,546 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.5 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 79.7% | 74.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $528,447 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 63.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Westminster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 28.6 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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