Moving to Cedar Rapids, IA? Find Out Which Neighborhood Is Right for You

This city boasts numerous neighborhoods, each with its own set of assets and charming, unique vibes. Discover which community is the perfect fit to call home!

By Livability on January 24, 2023

High Property Management

Cedar Rapids is the kind of city where downtown lofts, historic homes and modern architecture come together to create eclectic neighborhoods fit for just about any growing family or young professional. And as far as home prices go, there is no better place where you can get more for your buck, whether you choose to rent or buy.

Where the northern suburbs fall under the Cedar Rapids umbrella, those to the south are lumped in with Iowa City – but, says Darryl High of High Properties, many people live in one part of the city and work in another. High Properties is a property management company that is also in development and construction, building and managing multifamily homes for over 30 years in Cedar Rapids.

“We are happy to have very, very good schools and lots of parks and rec options, lots of bike trails,” High says. “We just have an awesome quality of life here.”

High suggests that once people establish where they want to live in proximity to work, they can meet with a property manager or a real estate professional to find a place that’s close to where they need to be.

“We have a great cost of living here, so you can find a two-bedroom apartment that is around 925 square feet in the ballpark of $900 to $1,200,” High says. “We still have affordable prices compared to other areas, and for the lifestyle here, that’s amazing.”

For those interested in the buyer’s market, the median home price in Cedar Rapids is about $187,000 (Zillow, September 2022), almost half of the median home price in the U.S.

Thinking about moving to Cedar Rapids? Let’s take a tour of seven great neighborhoods to call home:

1. The District

Often referred to as The District, Czech Village and New Bohemia are two vibrant urban neighborhoods near the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids. Here, you’ll always find something to fill your time, thanks to a plethora of specialty shops, award-winning dining options, arts and cultural attractions, entertainment destinations and a thriving nightlife. A few must-visit places in the area include the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, NewBo City Market and the Czech National Cemetery. This area is also known for welcoming entrepreneurs and their startups.

2. Cedar Hills

Families, Cedar Hills is calling. This neighborhood is home to Cherry Hill Park, which boasts a pool, a playground, soccer and baseball fields, and more, as well as Taft Middle School and Jefferson High School. Here, the median home price comes in at $143,791 (July 2021), according to NeighborhoodScout. Many of the houses in this neighborhood are older and well-established, built between 1940 and 1970. More than 35% of residents are of German ancestry, and about 20% of residents are employed in the tech support industry, with another 35% working in the manufacturing sector.

3. Lincolnway Village/Worthington Acres

For those looking to lead a fun, yet laid-back suburban lifestyle, this neighborhood is for you. Lincolnway Village/Worthington Acres is known for being diverse and welcoming, and it offers affordable housing options. The median home price is $166,916, and the average price for a one-bedroom apartment is $855 per month. Plus, this area offers proximity to Kirkwood Community College.

4. Covington

Once known for being a depot stop on an old Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad line, Covington is a picturesque neighborhood that offers residents a calm, relaxed lifestyle. Situated just east of a recently completed Iowa Highway 100 extension, area officials have suggested that this area could see residential and commercial development in the future. According to NeighborhoodScout, the median home price here is $227,704 (July 2021).

5. Louisa

Louisa is a beautiful suburban bedroom neighborhood of Cedar Rapids, where folks can find great affordable housing options. Here, the median home price is $150,777 (July 2021), and the average rental price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,073. The neighborhood has plenty of room for new residential projects, and Louisa offers a few name-brand commercial enterprises, such as Chili’s and Panera Bread.

6. Otis

Named for early 19th-century Massachusetts politician Harrison Gray Otis, one of this neighborhood’s boundaries is the Cedar River (this means you don’t have to travel far to go kayaking or canoeing). The median home price here hovers around $160,000, and the average rent price is about $770 per month (2021). About 26% of Otis’ adult residents are employed in the manufacturing sector.

7. Linn Junction/New Buffalo

A suburban neighborhood of Cedar Rapids, Linn Junction/New Buffalo features a median home price of $265,718, and many of its homes were constructed between 1970 and 1999. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 40% of neighborhood residents have a German/Austrian ancestry, which further adds to this area’s flair. Motorists in Linn Junction/New Buffalo have easy access to Interstate 380 and Iowa Highway 100, and residents boast a short 15-minute commute.