Cedar Falls, IA vs Wheaton, IL
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
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in crime level (1.4 vs 4.3). Cedar Falls leads in average commute (15.3 min vs 26.5 min). Wheaton leads in median household income ($113,523 vs $71,011).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cedar Falls, IA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 79.7 (#107) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 40,737 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $271,320 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $71,011 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 15.3 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 40 |
| Crime Level | 4.3 | 1.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.2 | D+13.3 |
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 →
C
75.2 Score
Wheaton, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$518,505
Population
52,938
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Wheaton, IL →
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