Cost of Living Comparison Between Yuma, AZ and Waterloo Cost of Living Comparison Between Yuma, AZ and Waterloo

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,101 per month in Yuma, AZ vs $2,428 in Waterloo, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,125 per month in Yuma, AZ vs $3,495 in Waterloo, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,148 per month in Yuma, AZ vs $4,562 in Waterloo, rent included.

Yuma, AZ is about 13% cheaper than Waterloo, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Yuma, AZ and Waterloo sit above the global median – Yuma, AZ by 56%, Waterloo by 80%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.05 $15.05

$14.59 CA$19.99

3.15%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.79 $43.79

$65.6 CA$89.9

-33.24%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.26 $9.26

$9.60 CA$13.16

-3.54%

Cappuccino

$3.93 $3.93

$3.14 CA$4.30

25.16%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.54 CA$2.11

58.44%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.57 CA$2.15

25.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.97 $4.97

$5.65 CA$7.74

-12.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.89 $4.89

$6.45 CA$8.84

-24.19%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$2.14 CA$2.93

-61.21%

White Bread (500g)

$3.50 $3.50

$2.31 CA$3.16

51.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.34 $3.34

$2.58 CA$3.53

29.46%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.02 CA$4.14

50.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.63 $9.63

$8.25 CA$11.30

16.73%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.80 $9.80

$16.48 CA$22.58

-40.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$14.14 CA$19.37

2.76%

Apples (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.15 CA$5.69

17.11%

Banana (1kg)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.24 CA$1.69

4.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$3.21 CA$4.40

65.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.97 $2.97

$3.73 CA$5.11

-20.38%

Potato (1kg)

$2.76 $2.76

$2.34 CA$3.21

17.95%

Onion (1kg)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.84 CA$3.89

16.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.97 CA$2.69

-7.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$1.60 CA$2.20

32.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.19 $10.19

$14.08 CA$19.29

-27.63%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.85 $14.85

$9.97 CA$13.66

48.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.53 CA$3.47

-30.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$3.27 CA$4.49

-24.77%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.73 CA$3.73

-24.91%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.71 $45.71

$67.6 CA$92.6

-32.33%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.03 $5.03

$2.65 CA$3.63

89.81%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.75 CA$2.40

-23.43%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.03 $29.03

$29.13 CA$39.91

-0.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.92 $0.92

$1.15 CA$1.58

-20.00%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.9K $23.9K

$25.4K CA$34.8K

-6.01%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.6K $24.6K

$20.1K CA$27.5K

22.52%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$205 $205

$185 CA$254

10.59%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.9 $53.9

$36.89 CA$50.5

46.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.2 $71.2

$54.4 CA$74.5

30.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.47 $33.47

$38.60 CA$52.9

-13.29%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.98 $14.98

$15.33 CA$21.01

-2.28%

Cinema Ticket

$9.76 $9.76

$12.19 CA$16.70

-19.93%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,025 $1,025

$556 CA$762

84.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.3K $23.3K

$10.5K CA$14.4K

122.48%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.60 $45.60

$53.5 CA$73.3

-14.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.8 $51.8

$25.33 CA$34.70

104.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.3 $67.3

$68.9 CA$94.4

-2.35%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.5 $71.5

$87.1 CA$119

-17.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,007 $1,007

$1,428 CA$1,956

-29.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$937 $937

$1,285 CA$1,761

-27.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,631 $1,631

$2,329 CA$3,190

-29.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,658 $1,658

$2,069 CA$2,835

-19.87%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,343 $2,343

$5,366 CA$7,352

-56.35%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,384 $2,384

$5,017 CA$6,874

-52.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,470 $3,470

$3,043 CA$4,169

14.02%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.71

-3.87%

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

Last update for Yuma, AZ: April 13, 2026

Last update for Waterloo: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,007 in Yuma, AZ versus $1,428 in Waterloo. 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 14% 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 $44 in Yuma, AZ versus $66 in Waterloo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $355 vs $355 – making Yuma, AZ the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Yuma, AZ vs Waterloo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Waterloo is pricier by about 16%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,152 per month in Yuma, AZ and $3,643 in Waterloo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $1,025 per month in Yuma, AZ and $556 in Waterloo. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Waterloo – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Yuma, AZ, where all-in costs run around $2,101, than in Waterloo at $2,428. In Yuma, AZ it covers expenses comfortably, while in Waterloo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

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.