Princeton, 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.
Princeton
71.3
#1000 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 34.1 min). Princeton leads in crime level (7.5 vs 13.0). Princeton leads in median household income ($93,586 vs $54,104).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Princeton, TX | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 71.3 (#1000) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 28,027 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $288,891 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $93,586 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 34.1 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 37 |
| Crime Level | 7.5 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+11.2 | D+1.2 |
Data coverage note: Princeton is missing data for 1 metric that Waterloo has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
C-
71.3 Score
Princeton, TX
Small Texas city with local appeal
Median Home
$288,891
Population
28,027
Crime
Moderate
Median Income
$93,586
Southwest
View Princeton, 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 →