Is Burlington or Cedar Rapids Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Burlington is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 34/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 24% lower. Burlington has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cedar Rapids has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 5.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Burlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Burlington, IA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Burlington | Cedar Rapids | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,239.4 | 2,951.3 | -711.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 413.8 | 262.3 | +151.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 0.7 | +7.8 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 11.1 | +27.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.1 | 30.3 | -13.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 349.8 | 219.4 | +130.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,825.6 | 2,689.1 | -863.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.0 | 274.1 | -1.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,356.4 | 2,203.0 | -846.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 196.2 | 212.0 | -15.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington or Cedar Rapids safer?
Burlington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,239 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 413.8 per 100K while Cedar Rapids has 262.3. Cedar Rapids has lower violent crime.
About Burlington, IA
Burlington, Iowa, a historic Mississippi River town, was once the state's first capital. Located in Des Moines County, its population is approximately 23,000. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 23,444, Burlington has a total crime rate of 2,239.4 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.