Fort Dodge, IA vs Waterloo, IA

Fort Dodge is moderately more affordable than Waterloo, with a 6.7% lower cost of living index. Fort Dodge scores 66 compared to 70 for Waterloo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waterloo can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Dodge is $764/month compared to $896/month in Waterloo — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Dodge is more affordable at $128,900 median vs $150,200.

Median household income in Fort Dodge is $61,769 compared to $56,344 in Waterloo (+9.6%). Fort Dodge offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Dodge spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Waterloo.