Ankeny, IA vs Waterloo, 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.
Ankeny
77.6
#226 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Ankeny leads in crime level (4.5 vs 13.0). Ankeny leads in median household income ($101,151 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 21.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ankeny, IA | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#226) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 74,458 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $341,196 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $101,151 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 21.1 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 4.5 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+1.2 |
C+
77.6 Score
Ankeny, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$341,196
Population
74,458
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
34
Midwest
View Ankeny, IA →
B-
81.8 Score
Waterloo, IA
Iowa community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$149,005
Population
66,606
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
Midwest
View Waterloo, IA →