| Index | Waterloo | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 69 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 90 | 94 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Waterloo is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Waterloo is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 32 residents in Waterloo to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 72% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 28% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Waterloo an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Waterloo, the median home price is 36.7% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 18.4% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Waterloo come in at $69,795, which is 14.2% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Waterloo, the transportation index is 2.1% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Waterloo comes in at 3.9% lower than the national average.
The Waterloo cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $92,984 | $7,749 | $2,169 | $2,790 |
| Renters | $48,159 | $4,013 | $1,124 | $1,445 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| New Hartford, IA | 815 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Washburn, IA | 534 | 85 | 14.9% |
| Evansdale, IA | 4,919 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Reinbeck, IA | 1,737 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Readlyn, IA | 820 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Waterloo, IA | 70,052 | 88 | 12.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Eau Claire, WI | 70,119 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Bossier City, LA | 70,171 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Palo Alto, CA | 70,212 | 341 | 240.9% |
| Yorba Linda, CA | 70,241 | 204 | 104.5% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 69,805 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Waterloo, IA | 70,052 | 88 | 12.3% |
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