Ann Arbor, MI 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.
Ann Arbor
72.9
#803 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Ann Arbor leads in walk score (57 vs 37). Ann Arbor leads in median household income ($73,018 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 114).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.9 (#803) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 123,851 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $536,036 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $73,018 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 20.8 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 37 |
| Crime Level | Low | 13.0 |
| School Rating | 8.9 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 114 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+44.4 | D+1.2 |
C-
72.9 Score
Ann Arbor, MI
A quintessential college town with big-city culture
Median Home
$536,036
Population
123,851
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Midwest
View Ann Arbor, MI →
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 →