Is Cedar Rapids or Urbandale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Urbandale is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 84/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 726 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 75% lower. Cedar Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Urbandale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 2.9x 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
Urbandale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Urbandale, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Urbandale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 725.8 | +2,225.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 91.3 | +171.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 10.6 | +0.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 2.1 | +28.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 76.4 | +143.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 634.6 | +2,054.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 82.8 | +191.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 411.7 | +1,791.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 140.1 | +72.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Urbandale safer?
Urbandale is safer with a total crime rate of 726 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Urbandale has 91.3. Urbandale 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 Urbandale, IA
Urbandale, a Des Moines suburb, was once home to the Hawkeye Six, an early Iowa interurban line. Its population of over 45,000 residents enjoys a blend of residential areas and commercial developments. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 47,119, Urbandale has a total crime rate of 725.8 per 100,000 residents.