Janesville-Beloit and Cedar Rapids receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Measured values
| Metric | Janesville-Beloit | Cedar Rapids | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 164,350 | 276,624 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $75,673 | $78,080 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,536 | $43,062 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 229/sq mi | 138/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $231,600 | $211,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,037 | $928 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.2% | 75.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 3.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.7% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.8% | 32.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 9.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 417 | 901 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.5 | 3.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -5.0% | -19.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 83°F | 83°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 12°F | 11°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 37.4" | 35.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 35 mi | 15 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 25.2 min | 21.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.3 | 39.7 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Janesville-Beloit
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado.
Cedar Rapids
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado.
Your best match
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Full profiles: Janesville-Beloit, WI Metro Area · Cedar Rapids, IA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology