Is Altoona or Cedar Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Altoona is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 36/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 27% lower. Altoona has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Altoona has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 6.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Altoona — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Altoona, IA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Altoona | Cedar Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,154.1 | 2,951.3 | -797.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 142.7 | 262.3 | -119.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.7 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 8.9 | 11.1 | -2.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 30.3 | -16.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.4 | 219.4 | -99.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,011.4 | 2,689.1 | -677.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 116.0 | 274.1 | -158.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,775.0 | 2,203.0 | -427.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.4 | 212.0 | -91.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altoona or Cedar Rapids safer?
Altoona is safer with a total crime rate of 2,154 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Altoona has a violent crime rate of 142.7 per 100K while Cedar Rapids has 262.3. Altoona has lower violent crime.
About Altoona, IA
Altoona, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb, is home to Adventureland Park. This growing city in Polk County has a population of over 20,000. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 22,422, Altoona has a total crime rate of 2,154.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Cedar Rapids, IA
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a city bisected by the Cedar River, boasts a vibrant Czech Village reflecting its immigrant history. It is the second-largest city in Iowa, with a population approaching 140,000. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 135,363, Cedar Rapids has a total crime rate of 2,951.3 per 100,000 residents.