Muscatine, IA vs Waterloo, IA

Muscatine, IA and Waterloo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Muscatine scores 74 while Waterloo scores 70 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Muscatine is $979/month compared to $896/month in Waterloo — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Waterloo has cheaper rent, Muscatine actually has lower median home values ($146,900 vs $150,200).

Median household income in Muscatine is $59,332 compared to $56,344 in Waterloo (+5.3%). While Muscatine is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Muscatine spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19.1% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.2°F vs 49°F). Muscatine receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 36.3" in Waterloo.