Cincinnati, OH 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.
Cincinnati
72.8
#820 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 23.5 min). Cincinnati leads in walk score (50 vs 37). Waterloo leads in median household income ($54,104 vs $46,094).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.8 (#820) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 311,097 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $251,326 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $46,094 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 23.5 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 50 | 37 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 13.0 |
| School Rating | 5.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+14.9 | D+1.2 |
C-
72.8 Score
Cincinnati, OH
Queen City charm with renewed energy
Median Home
$251,326
Population
311,097
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Midwest
View Cincinnati, OH →
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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