Odessa, TX 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.
Odessa
77.5
#243 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Odessa leads in crime level (8.7 vs 13.0). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 23 min). Odessa leads in median household income ($71,293 vs $54,104).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.5 (#243) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 115,743 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $253,740 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $71,293 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 23 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 8.7 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+52.9 | D+1.2 |
C+
77.5 Score
Odessa, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$253,740
Population
115,743
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
42
Southwest
View Odessa, TX →
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 →