Valentine, NE vs Waterloo, NE

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Valentine is 17.7% cheaper than Waterloo. With a cost index of 69 vs 84, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Valentine to Waterloo should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Valentine is $872/month compared to $1,125/month in Waterloo — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Valentine is more affordable at $135,600 median vs $218,400.

Median household income in Valentine is $53,438 compared to $75,417 in Waterloo (-29.1%). 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 Valentine spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 17.9% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, Waterloo is notably warmer with an average of 52.4°F compared to 49.1°F in Valentine. Waterloo receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 20.9" in Valentine.