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Is Cedar Falls a Good Place to Live? Cedar Falls, Iowa: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Cedar Falls ranks #327 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #63 of 208 small cities and #7 of 20 in Iowa. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (14 min, #8 of 208) and high graduation rates (96%, #9 of 191), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
Cedar Falls by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Cedar Falls's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls's cost of living index is 87.1, 13% below the US level of 100 and #108 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,203/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $269,111, 12% above the typical Iowa home ($239,547).
| Measure | Cedar Falls | IowaIA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 92.6 · US 100 | 87.1#108 of 1,308 | 87.8 | 92.6 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $305,499 · US $368,697 | $269,111#296 of 1,187 | $239,547 | $305,499 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,536/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,221/mo#113 of 1,115 | — | $1,536/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $261,400 | $263,600#430 of 1,309 | — | $261,400 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,178/mo | $1,203/mo#441 of 1,309 | — | $1,178/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.5x | 3.4x#338 of 1,309 | — | 3.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.9% | 18.8%#317 of 1,309 | — | 19.9% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Iowa is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Cedar Falls housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Cedar Falls is in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro.
Iowa housing market →Is Cedar Falls safe?
Cedar Falls recorded 135 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 59% below the US rate of 328 and 42% below Iowa's 234. That ranks #205 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #46 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Cedar Falls Police Department. Property crime runs 1,132 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Cedar Falls | IowaIA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 258 · US 328 | 135#205 of 1,085 | 234 | 258 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,540 · US 1,548 | 1,132#278 of 1,085 | 1,172 | 1,540 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Iowa is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Cedar Falls?
The median household in Cedar Falls earns $76,987, 7% below the US figure of $83,163 and 2% above Iowa ($75,501). Unemployment is 3.1% (US 4.3%). 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.1% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Cedar Falls | IowaIA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $71,675 · US $83,163 | $76,987#674 of 1,312 | $75,501 | $71,675 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7% · US 4.3% | 3.1%#131 of 1,058 | 3.5% | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 13% | 15.7%#902 of 1,312 | — | 13% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size +0.2% · US +0.5% | +0.1%#597 of 1,132 | +0.3% | +0.2% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Iowa is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Cedar Falls?
The median resident of Cedar Falls is 29.3 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 50.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #260 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 64% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Cedar Falls | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.3 | 29.3 | 37.3 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 32.5% | 50.4%#260 of 1,312 | 32.5% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 62.3% | 64% | 62.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Cedar Falls's schools and health?
Cedar Falls's 10 public schools graduate 96% of students in four years (Iowa 89.9%), with 14.4 students per teacher and $11,609 spent per pupil. 37% of adults are obese and 9% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 35.6% and 11.5%.
| Measure | Cedar Falls | IowaIA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 96%#29 of 1,063 | 89.9% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.9 | 14.4#362 of 1,188 | — | 14.9 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $13,509 | $11,609#1005 of 1,188 | — | $13,509 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 35.6% | 37%#947 of 1,311 | — | 35.6% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.5% | 9%#216 of 1,311 | — | 11.5% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 17.3% | 17.2%#675 of 1,311 | — | 17.3% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 9.2% | 5.9%#142 of 1,311 | — | 9.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Iowa is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 5,886 students are enrolled in Cedar Falls's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Cedar Falls?
The average commute in Cedar Falls is 14 minutes (Iowa 20.4); 0% of workers take transit and 11.1% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Cedar Falls scores 8.3 of 20 (below average walkable), #982 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 72.6°F and winters 22.9°F, with 36.3 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Cedar Falls | IowaIA | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 21.5 min | 14 min#41 of 1,312 | 20.4 min | 21.5 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.6% | 2%#55 of 1,312 | 4.5% | 4.6% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75.7% | 76.7% | 76.6% | 75.7% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.5% | 0% | 0.8% | 0.5% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.6% | 5.8% | 3.1% | 1.6% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.3% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 10% | 11.1% | 9.9% | 10% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 8.3#982 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). Iowa is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28.2 | 10.7 | 1.1 |
| Feb | 32.6 | 15.2 | 1.1 |
| Mar | 46.5 | 26.9 | 2 |
| Apr | 60.9 | 37.9 | 4 |
| May | 72.8 | 50.2 | 4.6 |
| Jun | 82.2 | 60.8 | 5.7 |
| Jul | 85 | 64 | 4.3 |
| Aug | 82.9 | 61 | 4.2 |
| Sep | 76.8 | 52.4 | 3.1 |
| Oct | 63 | 40.2 | 2.8 |
| Nov | 47.1 | 27.7 | 1.9 |
| Dec | 33.7 | 17 | 1.4 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Waterloo Muni Airport.
| Measure | Cedar Falls | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 56.3°F | 49°F | 56.3°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 76.3°F | 72.6°F | 76.3°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.7°F | 22.9°F | 36.7°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 43.2 in | 36.3 in | 43.2 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Waterloo Muni Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Cedar Falls?
Black Hawk County's air had a median air quality index of 49, and 53% of measured days were rated good; 2 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Black Hawk County's biggest natural hazard losses in tornado, strong wind, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.11% of building value, lower than 83% of US counties.
| Measure | Cedar Falls | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 41 | 49#814 of 1,138 | 41 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 2#481 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.11%#264 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Black Hawk County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Black Hawk County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado | 0.022% | 89% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0026% | 58% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0026% | 55% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.065% | 29% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Cedar Falls compare with similar-size cities?
Cedar Falls is one of 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track and ranks #63 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 40,888.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls, IAPop. 40,888 | #327 | 61.5 | $76,987 | $1,203/mo | 135 | 14 min |
| Brookfield, WIPop. 41,273 | #34 | 71.8 | $129,548 | $1,886/mo | 63 | 20.7 min |
| Covington, KYPop. 41,110 | #535 | 57.5 | $61,166 | $1,006/mo | 290 | 21.8 min |
| State College, PAPop. 41,050 | #307 | 62.0 | $45,424 | $1,273/mo | 153 | 15.5 min |
| Rexburg, IDPop. 40,543 | #703 | 54.9 | $50,617 | $1,004/mo | 49 | 15.2 min |
| Waipahu, HIPop. 40,482 | #472 | 58.6 | $103,895 | $1,658/mo | no data | 32.5 min |
| Florence, SCPop. 40,408 | #1178 | 45.8 | $56,143 | $992/mo | 627 | 18.7 min |
| Lake Oswego, ORPop. 40,381 | #92 | 68.7 | $141,549 | $2,139/mo | 55 | 21.6 min |
| Cape Girardeau, MOPop. 40,344 | #1034 | 49.4 | $55,658 | $876/mo | 467 | 15.9 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Cedar Falls compare with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Falls ranks #7 of the 20 Iowa cities we track, with a score of 61.5 against Iowa's statewide 69.2. Its households earn 2% above the Iowa median. Violent crime is 42% below the statewide rate. Homes are 12% above the typical Iowa home.
| City | Rank in IA | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukee, IAPop. 29,236 | #1 | 70.9 | $101,029 | $1,383/mo | 139 |
| Urbandale, IAPop. 46,595 | #2 | 69.9 | $112,795 | $1,211/mo | 122 |
| Ankeny, IAPop. 72,615 | #3 | 69.0 | $108,198 | $1,319/mo | 151 |
| Marion, IAPop. 41,896 | #4 | 67.3 | $86,743 | $961/mo | 126 |
| West Des Moines, IAPop. 71,083 | #5 | 66.1 | $86,594 | $1,237/mo | 147 |
| Bettendorf, IAPop. 39,647 | #6 | 65.5 | $100,495 | $1,187/mo | 94 |
| Cedar Falls, IAPop. 40,888 | #7 | 61.5 | $76,987 | $1,203/mo | 135 |
| Ames, IAPop. 67,669 | #8 | 60.8 | $60,991 | $1,023/mo | 103 |
| Cedar Rapids, IAPop. 137,264 | #9 | 60.3 | $70,424 | $967/mo | 265 |
| Iowa City, IAPop. 75,752 | #10 | 59.3 | $58,546 | $1,094/mo | 257 |
| Dubuque, IAPop. 59,174 | #11 | 58.6 | $65,845 | $948/mo | 405 |
| Mason City, IAPop. 27,050 | #12 | 57.0 | $64,804 | $882/mo | 354 |
| Sioux City, IAPop. 86,101 | #13 | 54.6 | $68,906 | $976/mo | 495 |
| Marshalltown, IAPop. 27,626 | #14 | 54.0 | $69,068 | $891/mo | 283 |
| Council Bluffs, IAPop. 62,586 | #15 | 52.1 | $64,578 | $1,030/mo | 525 |
| Des Moines, IAPop. 212,421 | #16 | 52.0 | $65,932 | $1,090/mo | 642 |
| Ottumwa, IAPop. 25,430 | #17 | 51.6 | $61,103 | $921/mo | 272 |
| Fort Dodge, IAPop. 24,827 | #18 | 50.1 | $60,649 | $785/mo | 940 |
| Waterloo, IAPop. 67,008 | #19 | 49.8 | $57,480 | $923/mo | 472 |
| Davenport, IAPop. 100,913 | #20 | 49.7 | $66,200 | $978/mo | 652 |
All 20 Iowa cities we track, by overall score. Iowa statewide: median income $75,501, violent crime 233.9 per 100,000.
How is Cedar Falls's score calculated?
Cedar Falls scores 61.5 out of 100, #327 of 1,312 (grade B+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Iowa's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Cedar Falls. Similar-size median 52.9.
58.8 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Cedar Falls's police agency. Similar-size median 78.4.
90.1 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Cedar Falls. Similar-size median 52.2.
54.9 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Cedar Falls's public schools. Similar-size median 59.4.
64.5 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Cedar Falls's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 76.3.
79.6 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Cedar Falls. Similar-size median 46.7.
44.7 - GrowthCity data · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Cedar Falls. Similar-size median 44.2.
45.4 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Cedar Falls. Similar-size median 47.3.
56.5 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Cedar Falls's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
38.4 - EnvironmentCounty data · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 54.8.
62.5 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Cedar Falls's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 208 cities of 25,000 to 50,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Cedar Falls has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Cedar Falls
Is Cedar Falls, IA a good place to live?
Cedar Falls ranks #327 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #63 of 208 small cities and #7 of 20 in Iowa. Against similar-size cities it stands out for short commutes (14 min, #8 of 208) and high graduation rates (96%, #9 of 191), with no measure in the bottom quarter.
What is the cost of living in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls's cost of living index is 87.1, 13% below the US level of 100 and #108 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,203/mo against $1,178/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $269,111, 12% above the typical Iowa home ($239,547).
What is the crime rate in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls recorded 135 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 59% below the US rate of 328 and 42% below Iowa's 234. That ranks #205 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #46 of 174 small cities, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Cedar Falls Police Department. Property crime runs 1,132 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Cedar Falls?
The median household in Cedar Falls earns $76,987, 7% below the US figure of $83,163 and 2% above Iowa ($75,501). Unemployment is 3.1% (US 4.3%). 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0.1% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Cedar Falls?
Median rent in Cedar Falls is $1,203/mo (Census), #441 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,221/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 18.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Cedar Falls?
The typical home value in Cedar Falls is $269,111, up 2.2% in a year, against $239,547 for Iowa and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $263,600.
How are the public schools in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls's 10 public schools graduate 96% of students in four years (Iowa 89.9%), with 14.4 students per teacher and $11,609 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Cedar Falls?
The average commute is 14 minutes, #41 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 20.4 minutes across Iowa. 2% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls averages 49°F over the year, 72.6°F in summer and 22.9°F in winter, with 36.3 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Cedar Falls walkable?
Cedar Falls scores 8.3 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #982 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Cedar Falls at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Black Hawk County's biggest natural hazard losses in tornado, strong wind, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.11% of building value, lower than 83% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Cedar Falls?
Black Hawk County's air had a median air quality index of 49, and 53% of measured days were rated good; 2 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Cedar Falls?
Cedar Falls has 40,888 residents. The median resident of Cedar Falls is 29.3 years old, against 37.3 in similar-size cities. 50.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #260 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 64% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Cedar Falls compare with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Falls ranks #7 of the 20 Iowa cities we track, with a score of 61.5 against Iowa's statewide 69.2. Its households earn 2% above the Iowa median. Violent crime is 42% below the statewide rate. Homes are 12% above the typical Iowa home.
What cities are similar in size to Cedar Falls?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Cedar Falls's population of 40,888 are Brookfield, WI (#34 overall), Covington, KY (#535 overall), State College, PA (#307 overall), Rexburg, ID (#703 overall), and Waipahu, HI (#472 overall). Cedar Falls is #327.