Cedar Falls, IA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Cedar Falls Safe?
Yes — Cedar Falls is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Cedar Falls has a crime rate that is 48% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 366.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 366
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
28% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 65
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
16% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Cedar Falls Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Cedar Falls Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Cedar Falls Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Cedar Falls zip codes.
Cedar Falls Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Cedar Falls, IA?
Cedar Falls, IA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 48% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 366 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 65 chance for property crime. Cedar Falls has lower crime than 89% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Cedar Falls, IA safe to live in?
Cedar Falls is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Cedar Falls is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Cedar Falls?
The estimated violent crime rate in Cedar Falls is 273.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 28% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 366 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (31% below average); aggravated assault at 184.7 per 100K (31% below average); robbery at 60.6 per 100K (18% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Cedar Falls?
The estimated property crime rate in Cedar Falls is 1,544.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 65 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 196.4 per 100K (27% below average); larceny/theft at 1,103.1 per 100K (21% below average); vehicle theft at 244.6 per 100K (23% below average).
How does Cedar Falls crime compare to the national average?
Cedar Falls's overall crime rate is 48% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (18% below average), while murder is 31% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cedar Falls has lower crime than 89% of them.
Is Cedar Falls safe to visit?
Cedar Falls is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 16% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Cedar Falls crime compare to the rest of Iowa?
Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Cedar Falls's crime rate is 48% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.
What type of crime is most common in Cedar Falls?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cedar Falls, with an estimated rate of 1,103.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 21% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,544 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (273 per 100K) in Cedar Falls, which is consistent with national trends.