Cost of Living in Waterloo, IA
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Waterloo, IA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Waterloo, IA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.1 | −12.9% |
| Housing | 63.1 | −36.9% |
| Goods | 93.7 | −6.3% |
| Utilities | 83.7 | −16.3% |
| Other services | 92.9 | −7.1% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Waterloo, IA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $717 | $28,680/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $793 | $31,720/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,040 | $41,600/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,347 | $53,880/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,693 | $67,720/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Waterloo, IA
- Federal income tax$3,512
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,941
- Medicare (1.45%)$688
- Iowa income tax$1,151
- Take-home pay$39,139
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Highest-paying jobs in Waterloo, IA
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterloo, IA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area are 87.1% of the U.S. average, with housing at 63.1%. It is the #353 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Waterloo, IA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $52,234 in Waterloo, IA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $47,430.
How much is rent in Waterloo, IA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Waterloo, IA are $717 for a studio, $793 for one bedroom, $1,040 for two bedrooms and $1,347 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Waterloo, IA
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $82,400
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Accountant and Auditor — $73,530
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $60,780
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $60,440
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $29,900
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $76,920
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $38,930
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,510
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,180
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $35,680
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,420
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,820
- Bartender — $21,540
- Waiter and Waitress — $21,490
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $38,770
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $34,510
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $30,800
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Animal Caretaker — $29,870
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $67,040
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $45,570
- Retail Salesperson — $31,270
- Cashier — $29,320
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $60,420
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $47,540
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $46,230
- Office Clerks, General — $43,980
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $40,660
- Customer Service Representative — $39,530
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- Construction Laborer — $49,950
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $77,850
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $50,940
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $75,370
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $51,600
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $51,250
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $51,080
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $50,310
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $58,730
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $47,440
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $43,670
- Light Truck Driver — $41,150
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,990