Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Cedar Rapids, IA
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Cedar Rapids leads 15 of 21 categories
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$66,895 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
69
Population
136,929
Worcester
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Pros
Homes cost $138k less ($167,900 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $426/mo less ($886 vs $1,312)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (3.9%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (261.5 vs 380/100k)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Property crime (2689.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Worcester, MA
Pros
94% less violent crime than Cedar Rapids
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Cedar Rapids
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 3.9%)
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Cedar Rapids
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 90.0 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Cedar Rapids
Median Income
$3,884
$66,895 vs $63,011/yr
Cedar Rapids
Median Home Value
$138k less
$167,900 vs $305,600
Cedar Rapids
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
3.9% vs 6.6% unemployment
Cedar Rapids
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 82.8°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Violent Crime
94% lower
16.5 vs 261.5 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.0 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $167,900 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $886 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,895 ✓ Higher | $63,011 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.8 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 9.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 93 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 69 | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 128⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.9% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.0% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Cedar Rapids Comm School District | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 27.9°F | 32.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 82.8°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.3" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 136,929 | 204,191 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.0 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.6% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 16.2% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Cedar Rapids's cost of living index is 90.0 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Cedar Rapids is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Cedar Rapids leads 15 of 21 categories. Cedar Rapids wins 15 and Worcester wins 6. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Cedar Rapids to Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($167,900 vs $305,600 median home), income ($66,895 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Cedar Rapids, IA and Worcester, MA are about 1,016 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.