City Comparison
Cedar Rapids vs Waterloo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cedar Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cedar Rapids
Waterloo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Cedar Rapids.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cedar Rapids's average rent is
19% higher than Waterloo's.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Waterloo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,126 | $950 | +19% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,126 | $1,845 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cedar Rapids offers 54% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cedar Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cedar Rapids is estimated at
$55,000 vs $48,000 in Waterloo.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,087 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 98,986 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $70,424 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Cedar Rapids sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 14.50°F | 13.10°F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 23.80 in | 22.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 260 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Cedar Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cedar Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cedar Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Waterloo.
From a growth perspective, Cedar Rapids is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waterloo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cedar Rapids | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,264 | 67,325 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cedar Rapids
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, with housing being a major contributor.
Affordable housing market with a median home price well below the national average and a competitive market for sellers.
Strong and growing economy with significant private investments in data centers and manufacturing, creating job opportunities.
Low crime rates and a strong safety profile, with violent crime rates below the national average.
High quality of life with well-run city services, a focus on community, and national recognition for livability and affordability.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as public transportation and walkability scores are moderate, making personal vehicles essential for most residents.
While growing, the job market may not offer the same high-paying specialized roles found in larger metropolitan areas, though specific high-paying sectors like healthcare exist.
The city's economy, while growing, is heavily influenced by manufacturing and agriculture, which can be subject to broader economic fluctuations.
Despite overall affordability, rent-to-income ratios can be a concern for some households, with a significant portion of income potentially allocated to housing.
The city has experienced natural disasters, such as the 2020 derecho, which, while demonstrating resilience, can impact infrastructure and community well-being.
Waterloo
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and local real estate data
Average commute times are short, reducing daily travel stress
Abundant outdoor recreation options including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Strong local healthcare presence with MercyOne and UnityPoint Health facilities
Rich cultural amenities such as the Grout Museum District and Lost Island Waterpark
Drawbacks
Cold and snowy winter conditions can be challenging for residents
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan areas
Property taxes in Black Hawk County can be relatively high
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates
Job market heavily relies on a few major industrial employers
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cedar Rapids
#197Iowa, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,126
Avg Salary
$89,087
Cost Index
90
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Waterloo
#366Iowa, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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