Cedar Falls, IA 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.
Cedar Falls
79.7
#107 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Cedar Falls leads in crime level (4.3 vs 13.0). Cedar Falls leads in median household income ($71,011 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 100).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cedar Falls, IA | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.7 (#107) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 40,737 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $271,320 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $71,011 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 15.3 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 4.3 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.2 | D+1.2 |
C+
79.7 Score
Cedar Falls, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$271,320
Population
40,737
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Cedar Falls, IA →
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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