Granite City, IL 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.
Granite City
78.6
#169 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 22.8 min). Waterloo leads in crime level (13.0 vs 16.9). Granite City leads in median household income ($58,681 vs $54,104).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Granite City, IL | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 78.6 (#169) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 26,908 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $116,558 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $58,681 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 16.9 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+1.2 |
C+
78.6 Score
Granite City, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$116,558
Population
26,908
Crime
High
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Granite City, IL →
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 →
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