Sanford, NC 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.
Sanford
68.9
#1274 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in walk score (37 vs 22). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 23.4 min). Sanford leads in crime level (12.3 vs 13.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Sanford, NC | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.9 (#1274) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 32,064 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $291,588 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $52,951 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 22 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 12.3 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+17.5 | D+1.2 |
D+
68.9 Score
Sanford, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$291,588
Population
32,064
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
22
Southeast
View Sanford, NC →
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 →