Butte, NE vs Waterloo, NE

The cost of living difference between Butte, NE and Waterloo, NE is dramatic. Butte is 33.9% cheaper than Waterloo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Butte has a cost index of 56 while Waterloo sits at 84, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Butte is $608/month compared to $1,125/month in Waterloo — a 46% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Butte is more affordable at $66,700 median vs $218,400.

Median household income in Butte is $52,500 compared to $75,417 in Waterloo (-30.4%). The higher salaries in Waterloo partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Butte spend roughly 13.9% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.2°F vs 52.4°F). Waterloo receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 19.5" in Butte.