City Comparison
Marshalltown vs Waterloo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marshalltown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marshalltown
Waterloo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Marshalltown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Waterloo.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marshalltown's average rent is
11% lower than Waterloo's.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Waterloo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $370 | $380 | -3% |
| Utilities | $165 | $175 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,715 | $1,845 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterloo offers 10% 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 Marshalltown is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Waterloo.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $55,400 | $56,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Marshalltown comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marshalltown sees 4.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 50.10°F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | 80.70°F |
| Winter Low | 13.80°F | 13.10°F |
| Rainfall | 32.10 in | 38.00 in |
| Snowfall | 26.60 in | 22.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 260 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Marshalltown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterloo is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Marshalltown.
From a growth perspective, Marshalltown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,500 | 67,325 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.30% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marshalltown
Advantages
Median home prices in Marshalltown are substantially lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 20 minutes.
A revitalized downtown district offers local dining, community events, and cultural festivals.
Strong local manufacturing and healthcare sectors provide steady employment opportunities.
Abundant parks and recreational areas support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options create a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Severe weather events, including tornadoes and winter storms, occasionally impact the region.
Fewer entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan areas like Des Moines.
Average household incomes trail state and national benchmarks.
Opportunities for remote tech and corporate careers locally are relatively sparse.
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.
Marshalltown
#212Iowa, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°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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