Rolling Meadows, 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.
Rolling Meadows
77.3
#260 nationally
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Rolling Meadows leads in crime level (2.7 vs 13.0). Rolling Meadows leads in median household income ($91,287 vs $54,104). Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 26.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rolling Meadows, IL | Waterloo, IA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.3 (#260) | 81.8 (#36) |
| Population | 23,329 | 66,606 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $342,521 | $149,005 |
| Median Household Income | $91,287 | $54,104 |
| Average Commute | 26.6 min | 16.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 2.7 | 13.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.0 | D+1.2 |
C+
77.3 Score
Rolling Meadows, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$342,521
Population
23,329
Crime
Low
Walk Score
42
Midwest
View Rolling Meadows, 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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