Alton, IL vs Cedar Falls, IA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Alton
77.1
#275 nationally
Cedar Falls
79.7
#107 nationally
Cedar Falls leads in crime level (4.3 vs 26.4). Cedar Falls leads in average commute (15.3 min vs 23.4 min). Cedar Falls leads in median household income ($71,011 vs $49,439).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, IL | Cedar Falls, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#275) | 79.7 (#107) |
| Population | 25,006 | 40,737 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $105,039 | $271,320 |
| Median Household Income | $49,439 | $71,011 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 15.3 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 38 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 4.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 100 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+1.2 |
C+
77.1 Score
Alton, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$105,039
Population
25,006
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Alton, IL →
C+
79.7 Score
Cedar Falls, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$271,320
Population
40,737
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Cedar Falls, IA →
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