Madison, MS 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.
Madison
75.5
#449 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Madison leads in crime level (1.6 vs 13.0). Waterloo leads in walk score (37 vs 7). Madison leads in median household income ($124,575 vs $54,104).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Madison, MS | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.5 (#449) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 27,987 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $413,721 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $124,575 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 23.9 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 7 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 1.6 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+17.3 | D+1.2 |
C
75.5 Score
Madison, MS
Small Mississippi city with local appeal
Median Home
$413,721
Population
27,987
Crime
Low
Walk Score
7
Southeast
View Madison, MS →
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 →