Johnston, IA vs Waterloo, IA

The cost of living difference between Johnston, IA and Waterloo, IA is dramatic. Waterloo is 42.2% cheaper than Johnston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Johnston has a cost index of 100 while Waterloo sits at 70, 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 Johnston is $1,288/month compared to $896/month in Waterloo — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterloo is more affordable at $150,200 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Johnston is $103,430 compared to $56,344 in Waterloo (+83.6%). While Johnston is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Johnston spend roughly 14.9% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.9°F vs 49°F). Johnston receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.3" in Waterloo.