Lafayette, LA 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.
Lafayette
73.6
#705 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in crime level (13.0 vs 29.2). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 20.4 min). Lafayette leads in walk score (42 vs 37).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.6 (#705) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 121,467 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $227,080 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $58,850 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 20.4 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 29.2 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 99 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+31.4 | D+1.2 |
C
73.6 Score
Lafayette, LA
Mid-size Louisiana city with community character
Median Home
$227,080
Population
121,467
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
42
Southeast
View Lafayette, LA →
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 →
Try a different matchup
Swap Lafayette for: