Cedar Rapids Apartments and Rentals

Located in the heart of east central Iowa, Cedar Rapids is known as the "City of Five Seasons." The moniker capitalizes on the fact that the city's average commute time is much lower than for many other municipalities in the country. This gives its residents more time to enjoy life - specifically the four seasons - with time itself being the fifth season.

Cedar Rapids has a number of impressive titles and accolades. It is the largest corn-processing city in the world, as well as the second largest municipality in Iowa. It is also one of the leading manufacturing regions, bio-processing hubs and food ingredient centers in the United States, and serves as the anchor of Iowa's Creative Corridor. Those interested in Cedar Rapids apartments for rent will find no shortage of opportunities.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 126,000 people live in the city of Cedar Rapids itself, while the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of more than 256,000 residents.

It may seem hard to believe when you look at the Cedar Rapids of today, but the city began as a tiny village in the 1840s. It quickly put itself on the map by obtaining a railroad connection in the mid 1800s, which set it on the road to becoming a major industrial hub. The Quaker Oats cereal mill set up shop in 1873 to great success, and the company is still in Cedar Rapids today. Another noteworthy development around this time was the construction of Greene's Opera House - a structure which, at the time, was the largest theater between Chicago and Denver.

In the 1920s, local resident Arthur Collins founded the Collins Radio Company, which later expanded into other technologies. The corporation, now called Rockwell Collins, Inc., is still a driving force in the local economy, employing approximately 8,700 people.

Recently, Cedar Rapids has been deemed one of Kiplinger's Top 10 Best Value Cities of 2011, Forbes' Best Places for Business & Careers and the Milken Institute's 2010 Best Performing Cities.

Rockwell Collins and Quaker Oats aren't the only big-name manufacturing plants and Fortune 500 companies in town. Cereal and snack company General Mills, upscale department chain Nordstrom and food processing corporations Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland also have a presence in Cedar Rapids, and are among the area's largest employers.

Cedar Rapids is home to a number of K-12 schools, plus several institutions of further education, including Coe College, Kirkwood Community College and Mount Mercy University. The University of Iowa's Tippie School of Management is also based in the city, and Kaplan University has a Cedar Rapids campus as well.

The city ranks quite low on City-Data.com's March 2012 cost of living index, coming in at 89.2 (significantly less than the national average of 100). Those looking for Cedar Rapids apartments should expect to pay an average rent of $704 per month. That said, luxury apartments in the city's downtown area have a much higher asking price.

There is a number of compelling attractions and special events in the Cedar Rapids area - the Czech Village in the downtown area, the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, to name but a few. The nearby Lindale Mall features more than 100 shops and restaurants, and Cedar Ridge Vineyard is just a 10-minute drive away in the Iowa countryside. During the summer, visit the Farmer's Daughter's Market. Depending on the time of year, you might want to catch a Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball, Roughriders Hockey or Titans Indoor Pro Football game, or watch an auto race at Hawkeye Downs.

For fans of the outdoors, there's no shortage of parks and recreational opportunities, as Cedar Rapids is home to 74 parks, six city-managed pools and four golf courses.

Rent.com® can help you get settled in a Cedar Rapids apartment. Look through our rental listings and find the perfect home for your needs.