Orleans, NE vs Waterloo, NE

The cost of living difference between Orleans, NE and Waterloo, NE is dramatic. Orleans is 38.7% cheaper than Waterloo, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Orleans has a cost index of 52 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 Orleans is $506/month compared to $1,125/month in Waterloo — a 55% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Orleans is more affordable at $55,000 median vs $218,400.

Median household income in Orleans is $60,000 compared to $75,417 in Waterloo (-20.4%). The higher salaries in Waterloo partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Orleans spend roughly 10.1% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.9°F vs 52.4°F). Waterloo receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 21.5" in Orleans.