Cost of Living: Waterloo, IA vs Iowa City, IA
Quick rent-and-take-home comparison
Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,184/mo in Waterloo, IA versus $4,184/mo in Iowa City, IA. In the model, rent is about 13.06% of gross in Waterloo, IA versus 15.94% in Iowa City, IA, so Waterloo, IA tends to feel more affordable for rent.
Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Waterloo, IA and Iowa City, IA.
At a glance
- Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Iowa City, IA
- Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Waterloo, IA
- Lower home prices: Waterloo, IA
- Higher median household income: Iowa City, IA
Cost of Living Index
Waterloo, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Iowa City, IA: 100 (U.S. = 100)
Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).
Median Rent
Waterloo, IA: $852/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Iowa City, IA: $1,040/mo
Median rent in Iowa City, IA is $188/mo higher than in Waterloo, IA.
Median Home Price
Waterloo, IA: $150,200 · Iowa City, IA: $273,600
Median home price in Iowa City, IA is $123,400 higher than in Waterloo, IA.
Median Household Income
Waterloo, IA: $56,344 · Iowa City, IA: $57,533
Iowa City, IA has a higher median household income than Waterloo, IA by $1,189.
Waterloo, IA overview · Iowa City, IA overview · Popular comparisons