Melissa, TX vs Waukee, 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.
Melissa
74.8
#551 nationally
Waukee
77.3
#263 nationally
Melissa leads in crime level (1.0 vs 3.9). Waukee leads in average commute (19.6 min vs 32.6 min). Melissa leads in median household income ($138,465 vs $106,846).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Melissa, TX | Waukee, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.8 (#551) | 77.3 (#263) |
| Population | 23,571 | 31,645 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $430,394 | $343,274 |
| Median Household Income | $138,465 | $106,846 |
| Average Commute | 32.6 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | N/A |
| Crime Level | 1.0 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.2 | R+4.8 |
C
74.8 Score
Melissa, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$430,394
Population
23,571
Crime
Very Low
Median Income
$138,465
Southwest
View Melissa, TX →
C+
77.3 Score
Waukee, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$343,274
Population
31,645
Crime
Low
Median Income
$106,846
Midwest
View Waukee, IA →