City Comparison
Ottumwa vs Waterloo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ottumwa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ottumwa
Waterloo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ottumwa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Waterloo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ottumwa's average rent is
11% lower than Waterloo's.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Waterloo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $100 | $110 | -9% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $1,845 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterloo offers 17% 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 Ottumwa is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Waterloo.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Ottumwa comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterloo sees 3.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 13.10°F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | 22.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 274 | 260 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ottumwa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Waterloo.
For walkability, Ottumwa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 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 Ottumwa.
From a growth perspective, Ottumwa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,514 | 67,325 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
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.
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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