Alton, 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.
Alton
68.8
#1277 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 29.2 min). Waterloo leads in crime level (13.0 vs 22.9). Waterloo leads in median household income ($54,104 vs $44,317).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, TX | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.8 (#1277) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 21,130 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $190,078 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $44,317 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 29.2 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 37 |
| Crime Level | 22.9 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+1.2 |
Data coverage note: Alton is missing data for 1 metric that Waterloo has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D+
68.8 Score
Alton, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$190,078
Population
21,130
Crime
High
Median Income
$44,317
Southwest
View Alton, 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 →