Is Cedar Rapids or Indianola Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Indianola is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 48/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 1,745 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 41% lower. Cedar Rapids has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Indianola has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 8.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Indianola — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Indianola, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Indianola | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 1,744.9 | +1,206.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 273.2 | -11.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 62.1 | -51.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 0.0 | +30.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 211.1 | +8.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 1,471.7 | +1,217.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 211.1 | +63.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 1,179.8 | +1,023.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 80.7 | +131.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Indianola safer?
Indianola is safer with a total crime rate of 1,745 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Indianola has 273.2. Cedar Rapids has lower violent crime.
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.
About Indianola, IA
Indianola, Iowa, known for the National Balloon Classic, is a small city south of Des Moines. Its population of around 16,000 residents reflects a predominantly white demographic within Warren County. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 16,104, Indianola has a total crime rate of 1,744.9 per 100,000 residents.