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

Eight facts you may not know about Cedar Rapids' business climate.

From startups brewing at local business incubators to the several Fortune 500 companies that call the city home, Cedar Rapids provides a supportive environment for businesses to flourish. The area offers big-city infrastructure and amenities in a midsize metro where you can still easily gain access to decision-makers. 

“Local municipalities, county governments and the private sector have worked together for many decades and established a level of trust that continues year after year,” says Ron Corbett, vice president of economic development for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. 

8 Reasons Why Business is Booming in 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

Sarah Michelle was on a cross-country road trip when she found herself between Ohio and Omaha, Nebraska, in need of a hotel room. A stopover in Cedar Rapids was a logical choice. 

“Soon after,” she says, “my internet algorithms flooded my feed with stories and statistics about Cedar Rapids being one of the happiest cities in the country, one of the most entrepreneurial, one of the best places to be single and one of the most affordable places to buy a nice home.” 

What one Cedar Rapids transplant loves about her new life in Iowa. 

A smiling woman in casual attire stands before a colorful wing mural, creating a joyful and uplifting atmosphere.

In the image, a woman stands in front of a vibrant mural depicting large, colorful wings. She wears a cheerful smile and a casual outfit, with a reddish-brown jacket, a patterned top, and blue jeans. The wings in the mural are painted in shades of pink, blue, and yellow, creating a striking contrast against the darker background of the mural.

The mood of the photo is uplifting and joyful. The combination of the woman's smile and the whimsical, ethereal wings suggests a sense of freedom and imagination. It evokes feelings of happiness, playfulness, and a sense of possibility, as if the woman is embracing her inner strength or spirit. The vibrant colors and artistic elements add to the overall positive and fun atmosphere of the scene.

Why I Love Living in Cedar Rapids, IA — And You Will, Too

Alumni reflect on how their public education experiences in Cedar Rapids, IA, set them up for success. The Cedar Rapids region’s public schools have a long history of preparing students for lifelong success.

Proud to be a Grad: How Cedar Rapids Schools Prepare Students for Success

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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Lifestyle in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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