Living in Waterloo, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Waterloo · Census data 2020–2024
Waterloo has 67,008 residents with a median age of 36.7. The median household income is $57,480 (23% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $152,600, the median rent is $923/month.
Waterloo at a glance
- Population
- 67,008
- Median age
- 36.7State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $57,480State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $152,600State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $923/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 62.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.8%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Waterloo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 16.6%.
The weather is best in May and July to September.
Cost of living in Waterloo
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Waterloo the median home value is $152,600, 54% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $923 per month, which is 28.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,244 a month in housing costs.
Waterloo median household income
The median household income in Waterloo is $57,480 and the income per person is $32,837. 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Waterloo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 32,143
- Owner-occupied
- 62.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.9%
- Vacant
- 8.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1962
- Average household size
- 2.25
Waterloo demographics
- Population
- 67,008
- Median age
- 36.7
- Under 18
- 24.5%
- 65 and older
- 17%
- Households
- 29,283
- Foreign-born
- 10.1%
- Veterans
- 6.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Waterloo ›
Education in Waterloo
21.8% of adults 25 and older in Waterloo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Waterloo
- Unemployment rate
- 5.3%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 7.6%
- Drive alone
- 78.1%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.2%
Waterloo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | 67,008 | $57,480 | $152,600 | $923 |
| Evansdale | 4,518 | $60,397 | $150,300 | $979 |
| Elk Run Heights | 964 | $76,500 | $171,200 | $1,125 |
| Cedar Falls | 40,888 | $76,987 | $263,600 | $1,203 |
| Hudson | 2,699 | $120,481 | $242,700 | $947 |
| Raymond | 899 | $76,711 | $222,600 | $1,125 |
| Washburn | 714 | $61,406 | $142,300 | $985 |
| Gilbertville | 761 | $79,583 | $197,400 | $643 |
| Dunkerton | 821 | $86,413 | $189,700 | $514 |
More for people moving to Waterloo
Waterloo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Waterloo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Waterloo, IA?
The median household income in Waterloo is $57,480, 23% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Waterloo?
The median home value in Waterloo is $152,600, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Waterloo?
The median gross rent in Waterloo is $923 per month, about 28.3% of household income.
Is Waterloo, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 5.3%; a poverty rate of 16.6%.
What is the median age in Waterloo?
The median age in Waterloo is 36.7 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Waterloo?
The average commute to work in Waterloo is 16 minutes; 7.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Waterloo?
The unemployment rate in Waterloo is 5.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Waterloo?
21.8% of adults in Waterloo have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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