City Comparison
Waterloo vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waterloo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterloo
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterloo's average rent is
33% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Waterloo | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,412 | -33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $110 | $126 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $135 | +70% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,404 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 5% 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 Waterloo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Waterloo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waterloo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterloo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Waterloo.
From a growth perspective, Dallas 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 | Waterloo | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,325 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| 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
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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