Birmingham, MI 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.
Birmingham
75.1
#499 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Birmingham leads in crime level (1.5 vs 13.0). Birmingham leads in median household income ($151,556 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 146).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Birmingham, MI | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.1 (#499) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 21,434 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $755,859 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $151,556 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 20.7 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 1.5 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 146 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.6 | D+1.2 |
C
75.1 Score
Birmingham, MI
Small Michigan city with local appeal
Median Home
$755,859
Population
21,434
Crime
Low
Walk Score
60
Midwest
View Birmingham, MI →
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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