City Comparison
Waterloo vs Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Des Moines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterloo
Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterloo's average rent is
18% lower than Des Moines's.
| Metric | Waterloo | Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,162 | -18% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,082 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 81 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines 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 Des Moines.
| Metric | Waterloo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 80,247 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $47,000 |
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 | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Waterloo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Waterloo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 17.90 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Waterloo.
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 | Waterloo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,325 | 209,232 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| 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
Des Moines
Advantages
The Des Moines metropolitan area is experiencing population growth, with an estimated 573,000 residents in 2025, a 1.24% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Des Moines is generally lower than the U.S. average.
The average commute time in West Des Moines is just 18 minutes, indicating efficient transportation.
The housing market saw a 0.9% increase in home prices over the three months ending May 2026, with a median price of $217,000.
Des Moines is a major business hub with growing job markets in insurance, finance, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
The city proper of Des Moines has experienced a population decline of approximately -0.55% annually since 2020.
Healthcare costs in Des Moines are higher than the national average.
Summers in Des Moines are hot and humid, with muggy conditions increasing throughout the season.
The median household income in Des Moines ($47,000) is lower than the Iowa state average ($52,000).
The Des Moines housing market, while showing recent price increases, experienced a slight decline in median sale prices in 2024.
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
Des Moines
#234Iowa, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,162
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
81
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
75
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