Cedar Rapids, IABest Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024

Cedar Rapids bills itself as the City of Five Seasons, with the extra time spent enjoying the other four seasons. This is a quaint description of living in a small city and enjoying life in the Heartland, but it also illustrates the changing weather here. Summer is warm and humid, while blustery winters dip into the teens. The average highs and lows are 83°F and 62°F (summer) and 32°F and 15°F (winter). 

The average annual snowfall in Cedar Rapids is on par with the national average of 29 inches yearly. 

The average annual rainfall in Cedar Rapids is about 36 inches per year. 

Cedar Rapids averages 204 sunny days a year.

There are miles of trails that wind through the city and around it. Lace up your hiking boots or hop on a bike to explore all the different ways to experience life around Cedar Rapids. When you’ve tired yourself out, relax at a Cedar Rapids Kernels (the high-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins) game. There’s no better way to enjoy a summer night.

The Indian Creek Nature Center has miles of trails and is open year-round. In the winter, rent snowshoes or bring cross-country skis. For the rest of the year, visitors can spend time in the bird room, fish and enjoy the great outdoors right in Cedar Rapids’ backyard. 

Kids and adults alike will love getting up close and personal with the animals at the free petting farm at Old Macdonald Farm in Bever Park. When the temperatures heat up, cool off at any of the 11 different splash pads in Cedar Rapids. 

Cedar Rapids is one of only three cities in the world with government buildings on an island. The other two cities are Osaka, Japan, and Paris, France. 

Czech Village and New Bohemia neighborhoods meet in The District, and the best place to find small, locally-owned businesses and restaurants is NewBo City Market.

Cobble Hill Eatery and Dispensary on Second Street is a locally-owned and operated contemporary American restaurant boasting everything from seriously delicious craft cocktails to decadent starters and even tastier entrees. Seasonality and availability drive the menu, so don’t be surprised when the offerings change.

Local arts and culture enthusiasts cite the Paramount Theatre as one of the best places to catch a show in Cedar Rapids. Located downtown, this historic theatre boasts stunning architecture and a phenomenal list of Broadway shows, concerts, dance performances, and more. Recently, the Paramount underwent a $35 million renovation. 

A good happy hour has to have food and drink specials, and Chophouse does not disappoint. The happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. every day, the sliders are legit, and their 33 different beers on draft are half-off. 

Advanced manufacturing, bioscience and food processing are three key industries in Cedar Rapids. Rockwell Collins, an aviation and technology company, and Transamerica, a financial services company, are both headquartered here. 

In 2024, the sales tax rate in Cedar Rapids is 7%. 

Yes, Iowa has a state income tax. 

Cedar Rapids residents are in good health and have access to several top-tier providers, including UnityPoint Health, Mercy Medical Center and St. Luke’s Hospital. 

Several smaller colleges and universities are in Cedar Rapids, including Kirkwood Community College, Coe College and Mount Mercy University.