Cost of Living: Iowa City, IA vs Waterloo, IA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,184/mo in Iowa City, IA versus $4,184/mo in Waterloo, IA. In the model, rent is about 15.94% of gross in Iowa City, IA versus 13.06% in Waterloo, IA, so Waterloo, IA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Iowa City, IA
$4,184/mo
Income level: above
Take-home in Waterloo, IA
$4,184/mo
Income level: above
Rent share (1BR) in Iowa City, IA
15.94%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Waterloo, IA
13.06%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Iowa City, IA and Waterloo, IA.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Waterloo, IA
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Waterloo, IA
  • Lower home prices: Waterloo, IA
  • Higher median household income: Iowa City, IA

Cost of Living Index

Iowa City, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Waterloo, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Iowa City, IA: $1,040/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Waterloo, IA: $852/mo

Median rent in Iowa City, IA is $188/mo higher than in Waterloo, IA.

Median Home Price

Iowa City, IA: $273,600 · Waterloo, IA: $150,200

Median home price in Iowa City, IA is $123,400 higher than in Waterloo, IA.

Median Household Income

Iowa City, IA: $57,533 · Waterloo, IA: $56,344

Iowa City, IA has a higher median household income than Waterloo, IA by $1,189.

Iowa City, IA overview · Waterloo, IA overview · Popular comparisons