Cedar Falls 81 Exceptional
Cedar Falls Livability #48 ranked city in Iowa#1,354 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Cedar Falls

PROS
  • 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.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Cedar Falls?

Cedar Falls is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Iowa. The city has a population of 40,750 people. At 91%, the majority of the Cedar Falls population is White; this is followed by 5% Asian and 2% Black. With an average age of 27 years old, Cedar Falls could be a great place to live for young adults as this age is well below the national average. In Cedar Falls, only 47% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Cedar Falls offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 15 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Cedar Falls can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the area. Having said that, in the state of Iowa, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Cedar Falls, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, cost of living, housing and more.

The livability score in Cedar Falls is 79 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 95th percentile of all cities across America. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Cedar Falls could be a great choice! The cherry on top is that Cedar Falls also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Cedar Falls has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B), cost of living (A+), education (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Cedar Falls. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (D).

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Cedar Falls have an average test score of 81%, which is well above the US average.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Cedar Falls has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Cedar Falls 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 Falls. The median home price for Cedar Falls homes is $204,300, which is 53.8% higher than the Iowa average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Cedar Falls, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.2, which is 33.3% higher than the Iowa average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Cedar Falls

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Compare Cedar Falls, IA Livability

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      Cedar Falls transportation information

      Statistic Cedar Falls Iowa National
      Average one way commute15min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.8%80.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.8%8.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.2%3.5%2.8%
      Working from home7.1%4.5%4.6%
      Source: The Cedar Falls, IA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).