CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D

Is Iowa City, Iowa Safe?

Population 76,229 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Iowa City faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 82% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,451 per 100K.

Iowa City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricIowa CityIowa AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate319.9332.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2300.92075.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate197.0--268.2
Theft Rate1451.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate499.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

262.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

320/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2301/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Iowa City

Violent crime in Iowa City is close to the national average. The rate of 319.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2300.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,451 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Iowa City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault197
073% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery56
088% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary300
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,451
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft499
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Iowa City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Iowa City
319.9
State
332.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Iowa City
2300.9
State
2075.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa City Safety

Is Iowa City safe?
Not especially. Iowa City earns a D with a crime rate of 262.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Iowa City?
262.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 319.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2300.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Iowa City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Iowa City's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,451 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Iowa City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Iowa City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Iowa City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Iowa City?
No. Crime in Iowa City has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Iowa City compare to other cities in Iowa?
Below average for the state. Iowa City ranks behind about 86% of Iowa cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Iowa City to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Iowa City?
Bad. A D grade and 262.1 per-thousand rate put Iowa City below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 320 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Iowa City?
319.9 per 100,000, which is 12% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (197), robbery (56), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Iowa

Similar-sized communities in Iowa. Compare crime rates across the state.

D-
See crime rates in Ankeny77,833 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in West Des Moines74,224 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Ames68,220 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Waterloo66,919 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Sioux City86,356 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Council Bluffs62,680 pop · Grade D
View all Iowa city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Iowa City

Get weekly safety updates for Iowa City

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities