Springfield, 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.
Springfield
79.7
#112 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in crime level (13.0 vs 24.7). Springfield leads in median household income ($62,419 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 17.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.7 (#112) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 112,544 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $174,630 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $62,419 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 17.6 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 24.7 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+5.0 | D+1.2 |
C+
79.7 Score
Springfield, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$174,630
Population
112,544
Crime
High
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Springfield, 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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