Royal Center, IN vs Waterloo, IN

Royal Center, IN and Waterloo, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Royal Center scores 64 while Waterloo scores 67 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 Royal Center is $817/month compared to $829/month in Waterloo — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Royal Center is more affordable at $84,100 median vs $108,600.

Median household income in Royal Center is $47,422 compared to $61,375 in Waterloo (-22.7%). While Waterloo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Royal Center spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16.2% in Waterloo.