Lancaster, TX 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.
Lancaster
69.9
#1155 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 29.7 min). Waterloo leads in walk score (37 vs 22). Lancaster leads in median household income ($65,323 vs $54,104).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lancaster, TX | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.9 (#1155) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 40,215 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $273,149 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $65,323 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 29.7 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 22 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 11.2 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 98 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+22.2 | D+1.2 |
D+
69.9 Score
Lancaster, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$273,149
Population
40,215
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
22
Southwest
View Lancaster, TX →
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 Lancaster for: