| Index | Waverly | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 95 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 94 | 100 |

Understanding the cost of living in Waverly can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Waverly cost of living index is 95, which is 5% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Waverly is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Is Waverly 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 Waverly, the median home price is 2.7% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 18.6% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Waverly come in at $97,900, which is 20.4% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Waverly, the housing index is 7.5% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Waverly, the utilities index registers at 5.1% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Waverly shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| 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 | $119,314 | $9,943 | $2,784 | $3,580 |
| Renters | $45,536 | $3,795 | $1,062 | $1,366 |
| 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. |
| Plainfield, IA | 416 | 83 | 16.7% |
| Tripoli, IA | 1,390 | 85 | 15.5% |
| New Hartford, IA | 815 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Frederika, IA | 327 | 85 | 15.1% |
| Clarksville, IA | 1,391 | 85 | 15.0% |
| Waverly, IA | 10,459 | 95 | 5.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Linthicum, MD | 10,458 | 126 | 26.1% |
| Bois-des-Filion, QC | 10,460 | n/a | |
| Quesnel, BC | 10,461 | n/a | |
| Waynesville, NC | 10,454 | 97 | 2.6% |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 10,453 | 98 | 2.5% |
| Waverly, IA | 10,459 | 95 | 5.1% |