City Comparison
Mason City vs Waterloo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mason City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mason City
Waterloo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mason City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Waterloo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mason City's average rent is
11% lower than Waterloo's.
| Metric | Mason City | Waterloo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $160 | $175 | -9% |
| Transport | $100 | $110 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,670 | $1,845 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterloo offers 9% 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 Mason City is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Waterloo.
| Metric | Mason City | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,634 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Mason City sees 9.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mason City | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 11.30°F | 13.10°F |
| Rainfall | 40.10 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 31.70 in | 22.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | 260 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mason City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Waterloo.
Waterloo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mason City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mason City | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterloo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Mason City.
From a growth perspective, Waterloo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mason City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mason City | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,338 | 67,325 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mason City
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Home to world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center provides top-tier regional healthcare access directly within the city.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion enhance daily convenience.
Strong local cultural institutions like the MacNider Art Museum and active community arts programming.
Drawbacks
Winters feature low temperatures averaging 11.3°F with notable snowfall, requiring cold-weather preparedness.
Public transportation options are limited, creating a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Slower population growth compared to booming metropolitan centers in the US.
Limited high-paying tech or corporate headquarters sectors compared to larger state capitals.
Distance from major major metropolitan hubs like Minneapolis or Des Moines for specialized entertainment.
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.
Mason City
#176Iowa, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
Business
65
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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