In Cedar Rapids, life is easy—in the best possible way. This family-friendly region offers a rare mix of safety, connection, and opportunity that feels like a throwback to simpler times. Think: neighbors who know your name, kids riding bikes without worry, and a strong sense of community where it’s easy to plug in and make a difference. With a low cost of living, short commutes, and direct access to major employers like Collins Aerospace, BAE, and PepsiCo/Quaker, the region is also a hub of innovation and advanced manufacturing. Just 30 minutes from Iowa City and the University of Iowa, residents can cheer on the Hawkeyes or enjoy world-class arts and entertainment. Plus, with a well-connected regional airport offering direct flights, you're never far from where you need to be.

Cedar Rapids

Build Your Future in Greater Cedar Rapids

Looking for a fresh start in a place where it’s easy to put down roots and feel connected? Welcome to Greater Cedar Rapids—where opportunity meets community. Whether you settle in Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Hiawatha, you’ll find a place that’s safe, friendly, and full of potential.

Here, neighbors wave. Kids ride bikes. You can live minutes from work, school, nature, and nightlife—with no long commutes, sky-high costs, or endless waitlists. The region blends the perks of a larger city (think great food, vibrant arts, big-name employers) with the pace and charm of smaller towns. It’s a place where you can grow your career 

 your community impact—all while enjoying a lifestyle that actually feels good.

 program helps you move with confidence—and connects you to the people and places that will make you feel at home from day one.


Get a boost to cover your move and start strong in your new city.

Membership to the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance


Plug into your new community through networking events, local business resources, and civic opportunities.


Dive into everything from outdoor yoga and summer concerts to kids’ sports leagues and family festivals across all three communities.

Whether you're walking to a local coffee shop, joining a volunteer group, or taking your kids to the park, you'll quickly discover how easy it is to connect here. The people are kind, the neighborhoods are tight-knit, and the opportunities are real—both professionally and personally.

So go ahead—build your future in a place that supports every part of your life.

Check out the eligible communities in The Greater Cedar Rapids area below!

Make your move to a region that blends big-city opportunity with small-town charm. With a $5,000 relocation bonus, local perks, and a warm welcome in Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Hiawatha, this program helps you settle in, get connected, and thrive—both personally and professionally.

$5000 Cash Relocation Bonus for your move to Greater Cedar Rapids

Get Connected to the Community with a Free Economic Alliance Membership

Explore the Outdoors with our Parks and Recreation Vouchers

5 Tickets to use at any Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball Game

$50 gift card to either The Fireside Tavern or Citywalk Eatery

Looking for a new place to call home? Here's why you should consider relocating to this Midwestern gem in Iowa.

Located in Eastern Iowa on the Cedar River, the warm and welcoming community of Cedar Rapids offers endless outdoor recreation opportunities, a thriving craft beer, wine and spirits scene, and plenty of options to further your education. Though it is the second-largest city in Iowa, Cedar Rapids maintains its small community feel. 

A vibrant festival scene with a large, joyful crowd and colorful vendor tents, conveying excitement and community spirit.

The image depicts a vibrant street scene filled with a large crowd, likely at a festival or outdoor market. Various tents in colorful shades of red, blue, and white are set up, suggesting vendors are present. The people are gathered actively, indicating a lively atmosphere.

The emotions and moods invoked by this photo are predominantly positive, evoking feelings of excitement and joy. There is a sense of community as individuals gather in a public space, enjoying an event. The variety of colors and the bustling environment contribute to an uplifting and dynamic vibe, suggesting celebration and togetherness.

Children joyfully explore a large metal loop sculpture under a blue sky, capturing carefree childhood adventure and playfulness.

The image depicts a playful outdoor scene with several children interacting with a large, modern sculpture made of metal loops. The children appear to be climbing, hanging, and exploring the structure, suggesting a sense of adventure and excitement. The background features a pleasant blue sky with fluffy white clouds, adding to the cheerful atmosphere.

The mood of the photo is vibrant and joyful, capturing a moment of carefree childhood exploration. The expressions and body language of the children likely convey happiness and playfulness, evoking feelings of nostalgia and the simple joys of play. The overall composition suggests a lively, energetic environment where creativity and fun thrive.

6 Reasons to Move to Cedar Rapids, IA

Cedar Rapids' music scene sets the stage for talent from the area and beyond.

If you live in or visit a big city like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, having access to world-class musical performances is expected as part of the package. But when considering other notable artsy cities, Cedar Rapids should be on your radar, too. With a population of nearly 140,000, Cedar Rapids has a music scene that’s considered a hidden gem. 

Vibrant twilight urban scene with a lively park gathering, colorful stage lights, and a festive atmosphere in the city.

The image showcases a vibrant urban scene at twilight, featuring a gathering in a park with an open amphitheater. The stage is illuminated with colorful lights, possibly indicating a performance or concert, while a sizable audience appears to be enjoying the event. The backdrop includes a cityscape with tall buildings and a river, reflecting the evening sky's hues.

This setting evokes a sense of community and excitement, as people come together to enjoy entertainment in a lively atmosphere. The twilight colors suggest a transition into night, creating a blend of anticipation and relaxation. Overall, the mood is festive and uplifting, capturing the joy of shared experiences in an urban environment.

The Sound of Music: Cedar Rapids’ Thriving Music Scene

The revitalization of historic buildings in Cedar Rapids allows residents to experience the history of Cedar Rapids today.

More than 175 years after it was incorporated as a city, Cedar Rapids continues to improve. While preserving its heritage, the city transforms historic buildings into modern-day reuse projects, bridging past and present. 

Majestic stone lion statue in front of a serene river, with a historic building and greenery under a bright sky.

The image showcases a majestic stone lion statue positioned prominently in the foreground, overlooking a serene river. In the background, there’s a large building with a distinct architectural style, possibly a historic or public institution, flanked by trees and greenery. The sky is clear and bright, suggesting a sunny day.

The presence of the lion statue evokes feelings of strength, courage, and guardianship, giving the scene a regal and commanding atmosphere. The tranquil river and surrounding nature bring a sense of peace and calmness. Overall, the combination of the lion and the idyllic setting encourages feelings of admiration and inspiration, blending nature and artistry harmoniously.

Old Meets New in Cedar Rapids, IA

Fast fact: Cedar Rapids is the largest corn-processing city in the world and one of the leading bioprocessing and food ingredient centers in North America. As impressive as that is, Cedar Rapids has many other impressive aspects that help make life happy around here.

Quality of life amenities include museums, two main theaters, 74 parks, four golf courses, six public swimming pools, two major hospitals and Eastern Iowa Airport. Other advantages include top-notch schools, a good transportation network and a pro-business government.

Cedar Rapids is home to 24 Fortune 500 companies, including big names like Cargill, General Mills, Nordstrom, Quaker Oats and Whirlpool. About 300 advanced manufacturing plants have operations here, and the insurance and finance industries keep growing strong, too. Other major sectors are aerospace, biotechnology, defense, education services, food and beverage, health care, IT, packaging and renewable energy.

 is sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, which is home to a half million creative residents and covers 4,400 square miles in eastern Iowa including the seven county region of Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties.

Livability Cedar Rapids

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