Cedar Rapids, IA, known as 'The City of Five Seasons,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Linn County, Cedar Rapids is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Iowa City (28 miles) and Waterloo (55 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Cedar Rapids' blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Cedar Rapids is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the historic Brucemore Mansion, and the scenic Indian Creek Nature Center. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful NewBo City Market to the bustling Lindale Mall, known for its shopping and dining. Cedar Rapids' dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Midwestern cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and the NewBo Arts Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Cedar Rapids' rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Coe College and Mount Mercy University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Cedar Rapids is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and the Paramount Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Cedar Rapids provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Cedar Rapids’ community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Cedar Rapids Kernels (MiLB) and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Cedar Rapids include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Rockwell Collins and Mercy Medical Center driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making it easy to navigate the area.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Schools
High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Cedar Rapids is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 136,032 people. According to the most recent Census, 83% of Cedar Rapids residents are White, 8% Black and 3% Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Cedar Rapids offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to ascertain if living in Cedar Rapids is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Iowa, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Cedar Rapids and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Cedar Rapids to Iowa and the national average.
Cedar Rapids has a livability score of 76 out of 100 and is ranked #157 in Iowa and #2,869 in the USA. This is a phenomenal score, as Cedar Rapids ranks well in multiple categories! The cherry on top is that Cedar Rapids also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Cedar Rapids ranks well for amenities (B-), cost of living (A+), education (B+), employment (B-) and housing (A+)
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Cedar Rapids market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Cedar Rapids real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Cedar Rapids. Median real estate prices in Cedar Rapids come in at $255,140, which is 6.3% higher than the Iowa average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Cedar Rapids, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 6.7% lower than the Iowa average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Cedar Rapids | Iowa | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 82.6% | 80.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.4% | 8.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.5% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.0% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.9% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
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