Rochester, IN vs Waterloo, IN

Waterloo is moderately more affordable than Rochester, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Rochester scores 71 compared to 67 for Waterloo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Rochester can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Rochester is $883/month compared to $829/month in Waterloo — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterloo is more affordable at $108,600 median vs $135,900.

Median household income in Rochester is $60,304 compared to $61,375 in Waterloo (-1.7%). Waterloo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Rochester spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in Waterloo.