Is Cedar Rapids or Waukee Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waukee is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 82/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 782 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 73% lower. Cedar Rapids has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Waukee has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Cedar Rapids is 3.9x 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
Waukee — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
Waukee, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | Waukee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 782.2 | +2,169.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 142.0 | +120.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 2.9 | -2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 23.2 | -12.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 8.7 | +21.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 107.2 | +112.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 640.2 | +2,048.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 60.8 | +213.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 515.6 | +1,687.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 63.7 | +148.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or Waukee safer?
Waukee is safer with a total crime rate of 782 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Waukee has 142.0. Waukee 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 Waukee, IA
Waukee, a rapidly growing suburb west of Des Moines, was once a coal mining town. Its population has surged, nearing 30,000 residents, reflecting its appeal to young families. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 34,520, Waukee has a total crime rate of 782.2 per 100,000 residents.