Naperville, IL 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.
Naperville
75.7
#429 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Naperville leads in median household income ($150,937 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 29.4 min). Naperville leads in crime level (9.3 vs 13.0).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.7 (#429) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 149,424 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $629,473 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $150,937 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 29.4 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 46 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 9.3 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | 9.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | D+1.2 |
C
75.7 Score
Naperville, IL
Where families thrive and communities flourish
Median Home
$629,473
Population
149,424
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Midwest
View Naperville, IL →
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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