City Comparison
Waterloo vs West Des Moines
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Des Moines scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterloo
West Des Moines
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waterloo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in West Des Moines.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterloo's average rent is
34% lower than West Des Moines's.
| Metric | Waterloo | West Des Moines | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $410 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $2,390 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Des Moines offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West 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 $52,000 in West Des Moines.
| Metric | Waterloo | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, West Des Moines comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterloo sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterloo | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | 83.20°F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | 16.20°F |
| Rainfall | 38.00 in | 36.20 in |
| Snowfall | 22.30 in | 20.80 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 274 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
West Des Moines scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterloo | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Des Moines is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, West Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Waterloo | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,325 | 69,871 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.10% |
| 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
West Des Moines
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Iowa with crime rates well below the national average
Exceptional public school districts that routinely score near the top statewide for academic performance
Thriving economic hub with major employers like Wells Fargo and a low local unemployment rate
Abundant green spaces, including over 35 public parks and extensive multi-use trail networks
Vibrant retail and dining scene anchored by Jordan Creek Town Center and Historic Valley Junction
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes have risen steadily due to high demand and rapid suburban expansion
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited public transit coverage outside main corridors
Winters can be harsh and prolonged with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures
Rental inventory for mid-priced apartments can be tight during peak moving seasons
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan core cities
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
West Des Moines
#28Iowa, USA
72.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
76
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