Waterloo, IA 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.
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waukee
77.3
#263 nationally
Waukee leads in crime level (3.9 vs 13.0). Waukee leads in median household income ($106,846 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 106).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Waterloo, IA | Waukee, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 81.8 (#36) | 77.3 (#263) |
| Population | 66,606 | 31,645 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $149,005 | $343,274 |
| Median Household Income | $54,104 | $106,846 |
| Average Commute | 16.5 min | 19.6 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 13.0 | 3.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.2 | R+4.8 |
Data coverage note: Waukee is missing data for 1 metric that Waterloo has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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 →
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 →