City Comparison
Waterloo vs Iowa City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Iowa City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterloo
Iowa City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Iowa City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterloo's average rent is
24% lower than Iowa City's.
| Metric | Waterloo | Iowa City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,250 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $100 | +10% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,140 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Iowa City offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Iowa City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterloo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Iowa City.
| Metric | Waterloo | Iowa City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 68,817 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $68,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waterloo sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterloo | Iowa City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | 52.10°F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | 82.90°F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | 15.70°F |
| Rainfall | 38.00 in | 34.60 in |
| Snowfall | 22.30 in | 22.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 268 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Iowa City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Iowa City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterloo | Iowa City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Iowa City is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Waterloo.
From a growth perspective, Iowa City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Iowa City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waterloo | Iowa City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,325 | 74,800 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 27.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 2.80% |
| 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
Iowa City
Advantages
Home to the University of Iowa and world-class UI Health Care facilities, providing exceptional employment and medical care.
Designated as a UNESCO City of Literature with a vibrant arts, cultural, and literary heritage.
Extensive public transit and bicycle infrastructure making the downtown and campus highly walkable.
Crime rates consistently lower than the national average, ensuring a safe family-oriented environment.
Thriving local dining, coffee shop, and independent bookstore scene centered around the historic downtown pedestrian mall.
Drawbacks
Rental market can be volatile and competitive due to the seasonal influx and exodus of university students.
Property tax rates in Iowa are relatively high compared to some neighboring states.
Winters bring cold temperatures and significant snowfall, requiring active snow removal and winter preparedness.
Traffic congestion around campus and major medical centers during peak morning and afternoon commuting hours.
Limited major manufacturing or heavy industry base, concentrating economic reliance primarily on education and healthcare.
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
Iowa City
#121Iowa, USA
66.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
52.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
81
Business
72
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