Very AffordableNear National AverageWaterloo Comm School District
Waterloo, Iowa (2014) (cropped) · David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA / CC BY 2.0415WalnutWaterloo · Jonathunder / GFDL 1.2Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum Waterloo IA pic1 · RifeIdeas / CC BY-SA 3.0Sans Souci Island looking east over Cedar River · Coalfather / CC BY-SA 4.0
Waterloo is a mid-sized city of 67,256 in Iowa, with a median household income of $54,104
and a 7.1% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is
12% below the national average.
Strengths:
Waterloo stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Waterloo is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Waterloo city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 88.0
Waterloo's overall cost of living index is 88.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Waterloo costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.
Metric
Waterloo, IA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$142,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$865
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
60.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$54,104
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Waterloo's violent crime rate is 476.0 per 100,000 residents
— 25% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
476.0 /100k
Property Crime
2444.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Waterloo is served primarily by Waterloo Comm School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Waterloo, IA
National Avg
School District
Waterloo Comm School District
—
Elementary Schools
11
—
Middle Schools
4
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Waterloo sees average highs of 28.2°F in January
and 85.0°F in July,
with 38.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 39.1 inches of snow per year.
Waterloo's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Waterloo roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $142,000 and median rent is $865/month.
Waterloo's violent crime rate is 476.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2444.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Waterloo are operated by Waterloo Comm School District.
The district has 11 elementary, 4 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 22.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Waterloo, IA has a population of 67,256, a median household income of $54,104, and an unemployment rate of 7.1%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Waterloo averages 28.2°F in January and 85.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.5 inches
with about 39.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Waterloo, IA is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 50701, 50703, 50702.
The population of Waterloo, Iowa is 67,256 with a median age of 36.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Waterloo: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $142,000, median household income $54,104, crime index 122 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Waterloo side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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