Gaston, OR vs Waterloo, OR

The cost of living difference between Gaston, OR and Waterloo, OR is dramatic. Waterloo is 33.8% cheaper than Gaston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gaston has a cost index of 119 while Waterloo sits at 89, 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 Gaston is $1,536/month compared to $1,094/month in Waterloo — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterloo is more affordable at $236,500 median vs $432,300.

Median household income in Gaston is $117,188 compared to $61,458 in Waterloo (+90.7%). While Gaston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gaston spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.4% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.5°F vs 52.2°F). Waterloo receives more rainfall at 41.5" per year compared to 35.9" in Gaston.