😐A single person spends $2,321 per month in Waterloo vs $2,143 in Yuma, AZ, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,371 per month in Waterloo vs $3,172 in Yuma, AZ, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,422 per month in Waterloo vs $4,202 in Yuma, AZ, rent included.
😐Waterloo costs about 8% more than Yuma, AZ, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Waterloo and Yuma, AZ sit above the global median – Waterloo by 68%, Yuma, AZ by 55%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.97CA$24.92
$12.81$12.81
40.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.9CA$81.6
$43.25$43.25
36.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.98CA$13.84
$9.22$9.22
8.24%
Cappuccino
$2.95CA$4.09
$5.43$5.43
-45.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06CA$2.86
$3.08$3.08
-33.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34CA$1.86
$2.43$2.43
-44.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.36CA$7.44
$5.58$5.58
-3.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71CA$7.92
$5.51$5.51
3.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.07CA$2.86
$0.88$0.88
135.23%
White Bread(500g)
$2.49CA$3.45
$4.22$4.22
-41.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.42CA$3.36
$3.29$3.29
-26.44%
Eggs
$2.83CA$3.93
$4.50$4.50
-37.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.44CA$15.87
$9.64$9.64
18.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.71CA$21.79
$9.55$9.55
64.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.28CA$22.59
$15.42$15.42
5.58%
Apples(1kg)
$3.65CA$5.06
$5.73$5.73
-36.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17CA$1.62
$1.69$1.69
-30.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.53CA$4.89
$4.28$4.28
-17.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.54CA$4.91
$2.71$2.71
30.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39CA$1.93
$3.22$3.22
-56.83%
Onion(1kg)
$1.94CA$2.69
$2.98$2.98
-34.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.68CA$2.33
$1.49$1.49
12.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24CA$1.72
$1.58$1.58
-21.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.15CA$18.24
$10.77$10.77
22.10%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.98CA$13.84
$14.35$14.35
-30.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.41CA$3.35
$1.77$1.77
36.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82CA$3.91
$3.25$3.25
-13.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.66CA$3.69
$2.04$2.04
30.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$70.3CA$97.6
$46.70$46.70
50.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.58CA$3.58
$2.71$2.71
-4.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.83CA$2.54
$1.39$1.39
31.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.06CA$40.30
$33.58$33.58
-13.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.20CA$1.66
$1.03$1.03
16.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.7KCA$39.8K
$23.4K$23.4K
22.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1KCA$26.5K
$25.0K$25.0K
-23.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$143CA$198
$222$222
-35.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.35CA$42.09
$54.1$54.1
-43.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.32CA$64.2
$72.0$72.0
-35.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.06CA$51.4
$33.39$33.39
10.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.40CA$26.90
$14.79$14.79
31.17%
Cinema Ticket
$11.96CA$16.59
$10.72$10.72
11.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$560CA$777
$1,013$1,013
-44.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.6KCA$23.1K
$23.2K$23.2K
-28.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.4CA$76.8
$53.5$53.5
3.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.23CA$43.31
$44.05$44.05
-29.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.9CA$115
$72.8$72.8
13.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.3CA$104
$71.1$71.1
5.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,446CA$2,006
$997$997
45.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,186CA$1,645
$915$915
29.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,169CA$3,008
$1,698$1,698
27.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,918CA$2,660
$1,696$1,696
13.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,383CA$7,466
$2,393$2,393
124.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,935CA$6,845
$2,342$2,342
110.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Waterloo
Yuma, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,003CA$4,165
$3,654$3,654
-17.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.09
6.21
-18.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Waterloo: September 7, 2026
Last update for Yuma, AZ: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,446 in Waterloo versus $997 in Yuma, AZ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 22% higher in Yuma, AZ, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $59.0 in Waterloo versus $43.00 in Yuma, AZ. Groceries tell a different story – $353 in Waterloo vs $359 in Yuma, AZ – so Waterloo wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Waterloo vs Yuma, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yuma, AZ cheaper than Waterloo?
Yes – Waterloo is pricier by about 8%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,482 per month in Waterloo and $3,214 in Yuma, AZ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Yuma, AZ, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $560 per month in Waterloo and $1,013 in Yuma, AZ. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Waterloo and in Yuma, AZ?
Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Waterloo – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for living in Waterloo or in Yuma, AZ?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Yuma, AZ, where all-in costs run around $2,143, than in Waterloo at $2,321. In Yuma, AZ it covers expenses comfortably, while in Waterloo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Waterloo or Yuma, AZ more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Yuma, AZ – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Yuma, AZ. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Waterloo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.