Cedar Rapids, IA Crime Rate & Safety

Cedar Rapids, IA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 38% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 436 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 68 chance for property crime. Cedar Rapids has lower crime than 73% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Cedar Rapids is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 93% of the city's 15 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Cedar Valley is one of the safest areas, while Oak Hill Jackson has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Cedar Rapids is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids are Cedar Valley, Cherry Hill Park, Cleveland Area, Ellis Harbor, and Noelridge Park. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Cedar Rapids include Oak Hill Jackson, Downtown, Westdale Area, Wellington Heights, and Lincolnway Village. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Cedar Rapids is 229.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 40% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 436 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 159.9 per 100K (40% below average); robbery at 46.3 per 100K (37% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Cedar Rapids is 1,470.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 20% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 68 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 178.9 per 100K (34% below average); larceny/theft at 1,074.3 per 100K (23% below average); vehicle theft at 217.2 per 100K (32% below average).

Cedar Rapids's overall crime rate is 38% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (23% below average), while assault is 40% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cedar Rapids has lower crime than 73% of them.

Cedar Rapids is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 20% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Cedar Valley, Cherry Hill Park, Cleveland Area.

Iowa as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Cedar Rapids's crime rate is 38% below the national average, making it safer the typical Iowa city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cedar Rapids, with an estimated rate of 1,074.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 23% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,470 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (229 per 100K) in Cedar Rapids, which is consistent with national trends.