Stapleton, NE vs Waterloo, NE

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Stapleton is 22.8% cheaper than Waterloo. With a cost index of 65 vs 84, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Stapleton to Waterloo should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Stapleton is $825/month compared to $1,125/month in Waterloo — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Stapleton is more affordable at $101,300 median vs $218,400.

Median household income in Stapleton is $66,875 compared to $75,417 in Waterloo (-11.3%). Waterloo does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Stapleton spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, less than the 17.9% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 52.4°F). Waterloo receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 21.1" in Stapleton.