Is Ames or Cedar Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ames is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 51/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 44% lower. Ames has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ames has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 2.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ames — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ames, IA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ames | Cedar Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,653.8 | 2,951.3 | -1,297.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 148.3 | 262.3 | -114.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.7 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 70.3 | 11.1 | +59.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.6 | 30.3 | -22.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 70.3 | 219.4 | -149.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,505.5 | 2,689.1 | -1,183.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 172.7 | 274.1 | -101.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,244.2 | 2,203.0 | -958.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 88.7 | 212.0 | -123.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ames or Cedar Rapids safer?
Ames is safer with a total crime rate of 1,654 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ames has a violent crime rate of 148.3 per 100K while Cedar Rapids has 262.3. Ames has lower violent crime.
About Ames, IA
Ames, Iowa, home to Iowa State University, is a city in Story County. This community in central Iowa has a significant student population, contributing to its vibrant academic atmosphere. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 65,426, Ames has a total crime rate of 1,653.8 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.