Waterloo, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Waterloo is 23.7% cheaper than West Des Moines. With a cost index of 70 vs 92, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Waterloo to West Des Moines should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Waterloo is $896/month compared to $1,194/month in West Des Moines — a 25% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterloo is more affordable at $150,200 median vs $286,300.

Median household income in Waterloo is $56,344 compared to $84,925 in West Des Moines (-33.7%). While West Des Moines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Waterloo spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in West Des Moines.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49°F vs 50.9°F). West Des Moines receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.3" in Waterloo.