Kinston, NC 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.
Kinston
73.2
#774 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in crime level (13.0 vs 26.3). Waterloo leads in median household income ($54,104 vs $35,653). Waterloo leads in walk score (37 vs 31).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Kinston, NC | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#774) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 19,411 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $147,755 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $35,653 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 26.3 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+6.8 | D+1.2 |
C
73.2 Score
Kinston, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$147,755
Population
19,411
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
31
Southeast
View Kinston, NC →
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 →