City Comparison
Waterloo vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterloo
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterloo's average rent is
32% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Waterloo | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,400 | -32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $236 | -26% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,406 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterloo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Waterloo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waterloo runs warmer on average — a 50.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waterloo comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterloo sees 22.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterloo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waterloo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Aiken.
Waterloo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterloo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterloo is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waterloo | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,325 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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