Waterloo, IA vs Wilmington, NC
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.
Waterloo
81.8
#36 nationally
Wilmington
67.8
#1388 nationally
Waterloo leads in average commute (16.5 min vs 21.2 min). Waterloo leads in walk score (37 vs 32). Waterloo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 101).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Waterloo, IA | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 81.8 (#36) | 67.8 (#1388) |
| Population | 66,606 | 119,238 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $149,005 | $421,733 |
| Median Household Income | $54,104 | $54,891 |
| Average Commute | 16.5 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 13.0 | Moderate |
| School Rating | N/A | 6.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 101 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.2 | D+0.6 |
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 →
D+
67.8 Score
Wilmington, NC
Port City on the Cape Fear
Median Home
$421,733
Population
119,238
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Wilmington, NC →
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