Cost of Living in Waterloo, IA
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
91.8
100 = national avg
-8.2 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$40,397
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$95,483
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing94.5
Food93.1
Transportation86.1
Healthcare94.5
Utilities94.7
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$801
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,051
per month
The overall cost of living index in Waterloo is 91.8, which is 8.2% below the national average. Housing costs are below the national average at an index of 94.5. A single adult needs to earn approximately $40,397 per year to cover basic expenses.