Is Cedar Rapids or Mason City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mason City is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 27/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,546 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 14% lower. Cedar Rapids has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mason City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 5.1x 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
Mason City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Mason City, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Mason City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 2,546.1 | +405.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 224.0 | +38.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 100.8 | -89.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 14.9 | +15.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 108.3 | +111.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 2,322.1 | +367.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 313.6 | -39.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 1,937.6 | +265.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 70.9 | +141.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Mason City safer?
Mason City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,546 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Mason City has 224.0. Mason City 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 Mason City, IA
Mason City, Iowa, a regional hub in north-central Iowa, is known for its Prairie School architecture, including a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house. Its population of around 27,000 resides amidst fertile agricultural land. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 26,786, Mason City has a total crime rate of 2,546.1 per 100,000 residents.