City Comparison
Clinton vs Waterloo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clinton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clinton
Waterloo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Clinton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Waterloo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clinton's average rent is
11% lower than Waterloo's.
| Metric | Clinton | Waterloo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $360 | $380 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,705 | $1,845 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterloo offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waterloo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clinton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Waterloo.
| Metric | Clinton | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,854 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Clinton sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clinton | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 15.80°F | 13.10°F |
| Rainfall | 31.30 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | 22.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 260 |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Waterloo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Clinton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Clinton | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterloo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Clinton.
From a growth perspective, Waterloo 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 | Clinton | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,469 | 67,325 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clinton
Advantages
Median home prices in Clinton are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Average commute times are under 20 minutes, allowing for minimal daily transit stress.
Abundant access to Mississippi River recreation, parks, and outdoor trails.
Strong local manufacturing and industrial employment base offering stable jobs.
Low cost of living index that stretches retirement and family budgets effectively.
Drawbacks
Limited high-tech and corporate remote work professional infrastructure.
Cold, snowy winter conditions typical of eastern Iowa can be harsh.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles.
Slower population growth compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Fewer high-end dining and major entertainment venues within city limits.
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.
Clinton
#291Iowa, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
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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