Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to West Des Moines, IA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Cedar Rapids or West Des Moines Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, West Des Moines is safer than Cedar Rapids (Safety Score 44/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100,000 versus 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — 36% lower. Cedar Rapids has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Des Moines has a 100% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Cedar Rapids, IA?
Cedar Rapids — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
West Des Moines — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cedar Rapids, IA
West Des Moines, IA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cedar Rapids | West Des Moines | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,951.3 | 1,879.1 | +1,072.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 165.0 | +97.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 11.1 | 21.8 | -10.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 30.3 | 12.3 | +18.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 219.4 | 130.9 | +88.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,689.1 | 1,714.1 | +975.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.1 | 114.5 | +159.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,203.0 | 1,471.4 | +731.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 128.2 | +83.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to West Des Moines, IA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids or West Des Moines safer?
West Des Moines is safer with a total crime rate of 1,879 per 100K vs 2,951 for Cedar Rapids — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cedar Rapids has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while West Des Moines has 165.0. West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, IA
West Des Moines is a vibrant suburb of Iowa's capital, known for its strong financial sector and Jordan Creek Town Center. This affluent community, once a railway stop, lies just west of Des Moines, primarily in Polk County. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 73,334, West Des Moines has a total crime rate of 1,879.1 per 100,000 residents.