Cost of Living Comparison Between Waterloo, IA and New York, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Waterloo, IA and New York, NY

🙂 Solo nomad: Waterloo, IA is 42.3% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 58.3% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Waterloo, IA is 41% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 67.2% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.28 $18.28
$29.68 $29.68
-38.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.4 $66.4
$144 $144
-53.97%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.89 $9.89
$12.43 $12.43
-20.43%
Cappuccino
$5.24 $5.24
$5.84 $5.84
-10.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 $2.78
$3.26 $3.26
-14.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 $2.39
$2.58 $2.58
-7.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.13 $6.13
$8.24 $8.24
-25.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.83 $6.83
$11.86 $11.86
-42.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.56 $1.56
-35.26%
White Bread (500g)
$1.94 $1.94
$5.23 $5.23
-62.91%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$8.11 $8.11
-78.79%
Eggs
$2.86 $2.86
$7.25 $7.25
-60.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.28 $9.28
$17.08 $17.08
-45.67%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.7 $6.7
$16.24 $16.24
-58.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.74 $12.74
$20.02 $20.02
-36.36%
Apples (1kg)
$3.85 $3.85
$7.49 $7.49
-48.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.2 $1.2
$2.55 $2.55
-52.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.32 $3.32
$5.82 $5.82
-42.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.46 $4.46
$6.52 $6.52
-31.60%
Potato (1kg)
$1.12 $1.12
$3.72 $3.72
-69.89%
Onion (1kg)
$2.12 $2.12
$3.9 $3.9
-45.64%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.85 $1.85
$3.07 $3.07
-39.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53 $1.53
$2.57 $2.57
-40.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.92 $7.92
$19.21 $19.21
-58.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.01 $12.01
$17.79 $17.79
-32.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$3.01 $3.01
-43.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 $1.79
$3.72 $3.72
-51.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.92 $2.92
-32.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$134 $134
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.89 $4.89
$5.13 $5.13
-4.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.43 $1.43
$2.15 $2.15
-33.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.73 $29.73
$41.57 $41.57
-28.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.77 $0.77
$0.95 $0.95
-18.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.3K $35.3K
$35K $35K
0.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$27.7K $27.7K
-6.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$197 $197
$179 $179
10.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.84 $48.84
$60 $60
-18.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$63.8 $63.8
-6.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.83 $42.83
$141 $141
-69.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$63.9 $63.9
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.8 $13.8
$19.9 $19.9
-30.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,454 $1,454
$3,206 $3,206
-54.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$30.5K $30.5K
$56.5K $56.5K
-46.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$38.76 $38.76
$65.7 $65.7
-41.01%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.15 $42.15
$48.75 $48.75
-13.54%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$58.6 $58.6
$111 $111
-47.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129 $129
$172 $172
-24.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$842 $842
$4,165 $4,165
-79.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$747 $747
$2,653 $2,653
-71.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,974 $1,974
$8,412 $8,412
-76.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$863 $863
$5,277 $5,277
-83.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,457 $1,457
$15.6K $15.6K
-90.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,429 $1,429
$11.2K $11.2K
-87.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Waterloo, IA
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,529 $3,529
$5,616 $5,616
-37.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6.44
-0.16%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Waterloo, IA: October 28, 2025

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

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