Cedar Rapids Real Estate
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa with a population of nearly 140,000 and serves as the economic hub of Eastern Iowa. The city consistently ranks among the best places to live in the country, earning recognition as the #3 Best Place to Live in the Midwest (SpaceWise 2026), the #19 Safest City in America (WalletHub 2026), and the #11 Most Affordable Small City to Buy a Home (WalletHub 2026).
For homebuyers, the numbers tell a compelling story. Cedar Rapids was named the #16 Best City to Buy a House in America (Niche 2026). Median home prices sit well below the national average, making Cedar Rapids one of the most affordable metro areas in the Midwest at every price point. The city also ranked #30 for Lowest Cost of Living in America (Niche 2026), meaning your dollar goes further here than in most U.S. cities.
Cedar Rapids is home to nearly 300 manufacturing plants and more than two dozen Fortune 500 companies. Major employers include Collins Aerospace, one of the largest employers in the region and a leader in defense and aerospace electronics. General Mills, Quaker Oats, Cargill, and Archer Daniels Midland anchor a deep food processing and agricultural sector. AEGON/Transamerica, United Fire Group, and CRST International add strength in insurance, financial services, and transportation. UnityPoint Health St. Luke's and Mercy Medical Center are the region's leading healthcare providers, and Kirkwood Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Iowa. The city ranked #12 for Best Big City for Economic Opportunity (U.S. News and World Report 2025) and landed in the Top 125 Best Cities for Jobs in America (WalletHub 2026).
The city is experiencing significant growth on two fronts. The southwest side of Cedar Rapids is home to the Big Cedar Industrial Center, where two of the largest economic development projects in the city's history are currently under construction. Google is building a $576 million data center campus with an additional $7 billion investment announced for Iowa, while QTS Data Centers is developing a 612-acre campus with a planned $10 billion investment, making it the largest economic development in the state's history. Together, these projects are expected to support over 2,000 construction and permanent jobs and position Cedar Rapids as one of the Midwest's leading digital infrastructure hubs. The southwest growth area has attracted over $1 billion in industrial investment since 2017, including facilities from BAE Systems and Sub-Zero. On the northeast side, residential growth continues with new subdivisions and modern construction expanding the housing supply.
Healthcare is a major strength. Newsweek recognized UnityPoint Health St. Luke's as the #1 Best-in-State Hospital in Iowa and Mercy Medical Center as #4 in its 2026 rankings. The city's neighborhoods range from the historic charm of Czech Village and NewBo to established residential areas like Bowman Woods and Noelridge Park, with housing options at every price point including downtown lofts, mid-century homes, and new construction.
Cedar Rapids is also a strong choice for those approaching retirement, ranking as the #5 Midwest City for a Peaceful Retirement (Investopedia 2026) and landing in the Top 75 Best Places to Retire in America (Niche 2026). The city's combination of affordability, safety, and healthcare access makes it increasingly attractive to people at every stage of life.
Cedar Rapids is one of few communities in the nation with top accreditation across nearly every city department, including its Police Department, Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Library. The city has also earned the 2026 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (GFOA), the 2026 Watershed Collaboration Award (NACWA), and was named the #33 Best Run City in the U.S. (WalletHub 2025). That level of civic infrastructure speaks to a well-run city committed to continuous improvement.
Jay Whitaker is a Realtor at Skogman Realty and the current President of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of REALTORS. With a 25-year background in law enforcement and deep roots in Eastern Iowa, Jay brings negotiation skills, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to protecting his clients' interests in every transaction.
For homebuyers, the numbers tell a compelling story. Cedar Rapids was named the #16 Best City to Buy a House in America (Niche 2026). Median home prices sit well below the national average, making Cedar Rapids one of the most affordable metro areas in the Midwest at every price point. The city also ranked #30 for Lowest Cost of Living in America (Niche 2026), meaning your dollar goes further here than in most U.S. cities.
Cedar Rapids is home to nearly 300 manufacturing plants and more than two dozen Fortune 500 companies. Major employers include Collins Aerospace, one of the largest employers in the region and a leader in defense and aerospace electronics. General Mills, Quaker Oats, Cargill, and Archer Daniels Midland anchor a deep food processing and agricultural sector. AEGON/Transamerica, United Fire Group, and CRST International add strength in insurance, financial services, and transportation. UnityPoint Health St. Luke's and Mercy Medical Center are the region's leading healthcare providers, and Kirkwood Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Iowa. The city ranked #12 for Best Big City for Economic Opportunity (U.S. News and World Report 2025) and landed in the Top 125 Best Cities for Jobs in America (WalletHub 2026).
The city is experiencing significant growth on two fronts. The southwest side of Cedar Rapids is home to the Big Cedar Industrial Center, where two of the largest economic development projects in the city's history are currently under construction. Google is building a $576 million data center campus with an additional $7 billion investment announced for Iowa, while QTS Data Centers is developing a 612-acre campus with a planned $10 billion investment, making it the largest economic development in the state's history. Together, these projects are expected to support over 2,000 construction and permanent jobs and position Cedar Rapids as one of the Midwest's leading digital infrastructure hubs. The southwest growth area has attracted over $1 billion in industrial investment since 2017, including facilities from BAE Systems and Sub-Zero. On the northeast side, residential growth continues with new subdivisions and modern construction expanding the housing supply.
Healthcare is a major strength. Newsweek recognized UnityPoint Health St. Luke's as the #1 Best-in-State Hospital in Iowa and Mercy Medical Center as #4 in its 2026 rankings. The city's neighborhoods range from the historic charm of Czech Village and NewBo to established residential areas like Bowman Woods and Noelridge Park, with housing options at every price point including downtown lofts, mid-century homes, and new construction.
Cedar Rapids is also a strong choice for those approaching retirement, ranking as the #5 Midwest City for a Peaceful Retirement (Investopedia 2026) and landing in the Top 75 Best Places to Retire in America (Niche 2026). The city's combination of affordability, safety, and healthcare access makes it increasingly attractive to people at every stage of life.
Cedar Rapids is one of few communities in the nation with top accreditation across nearly every city department, including its Police Department, Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Library. The city has also earned the 2026 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (GFOA), the 2026 Watershed Collaboration Award (NACWA), and was named the #33 Best Run City in the U.S. (WalletHub 2025). That level of civic infrastructure speaks to a well-run city committed to continuous improvement.
Jay Whitaker is a Realtor at Skogman Realty and the current President of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of REALTORS. With a 25-year background in law enforcement and deep roots in Eastern Iowa, Jay brings negotiation skills, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to protecting his clients' interests in every transaction.
Most Popular
2734 Dalewood Avenue SE
$150,000
Most Expensive
7505 Blairs Ferry Road
$2,395,000
Least Expensive
1435 N Street SW
$44900
Cedar Rapids Listings Summary
Cedar Rapids - Town vs. County Stats
Avg Price in Cedar Rapids: $305,300 / County Avg $357,100
85%
Avg Taxes in Cedar Rapids: $3,800 / County Avg $4,100
93%
Avg Sq. Ft. in Cedar Rapids: 1,907 / County Avg 2,070
92%
Avg Price per/sqft in Cedar Rapids:$160 / County Avg $173
93%
Avg Walkscore in Cedar Rapids: 75 / County Avg 56
133%
Avg Year Built in Cedar Rapids: 1982 / County Avg 1989
100%
Avg Days on Website in Cedar Rapids: 82 / County Avg 89
92%
Cedar Rapids Real Estate Market Health
New Listings
Reductions
Foreclosures
Short Sales
| Areas in Cedar Rapids IA |
|---|
| Linn |
| NE Quadrant |
| NW Quadrant |
| OT-W (West of I-380) |
| OutOfArea |
| SE Quadrant |
| SOUTH |
| SW Quadrant |
Information should be deemed reliable but not guaranteed, all representations are approximate, and individual verification is recommended. Copyright ©2026 All rights reserved.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
