Cost of Living in Waterloo, IA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $921 (excluding rent), and $1,867 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,224 (excluding rent), and $3,240 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.22 $18.22

$12.15 $12.15

$45.55 $45.55

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.7 $65.7

$59.8 $59.8

$99.6 $99.6

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.84 $9.84

$11.81 $11.81

Cappuccino

$5.06 $5.06

$2.95 $2.95

$6.88 $6.88

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

$2.80 $2.80

$2.04 $2.04

$4.09 $4.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.99 $1.99

$2.98 $2.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.85 $5.85

$3.70 $3.70

$7.80 $7.80

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.83 $6.83

$5.86 $5.86

$11.71 $11.71

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$0.70 $0.70

$1.63 $1.63

White Bread (500g)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.60 $1.60

$6.51 $6.51

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.73 $1.73

$5.13 $5.13

Eggs

$2.86 $2.86

$1.67 $1.67

$3.96 $3.96

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.21 $9.21

$6.50 $6.50

$17.33 $17.33

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.50 $6.50

$5.47 $5.47

$21.88 $21.88

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.71 $12.71

$12.18 $12.18

$22.15 $22.15

Apples (1kg)

$3.71 $3.71

$2.71 $2.71

$8.67 $8.67

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 $1.21

$0.95 $0.95

$4.04 $4.04

Oranges (1kg)

$3.25 $3.25

$13.12 $13.12

Tomato (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$3.38 $3.38

$8.34 $8.34

Potato (1kg)

$1.17 $1.17

$8.94 $8.94

Onion (1kg)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.10 $2.10

$6.64 $6.64

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.51 $1.51

$3.02 $3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.13 $1.13

$2.57 $2.57

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.31 $8.31

$8.09 $8.09

$11.28 $11.28

Wine (Bottle)

$13.19 $13.19

$10.14 $10.14

$19.27 $19.27

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

$2.83 $2.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 $1.80

$1.54 $1.54

$5.15 $5.15

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.22 $1.22

$1.95 $1.95

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.88 $4.88

$3.17 $3.17

$7.81 $7.81

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.22 $1.22

$1.52 $1.52

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.69 $29.69

$26.85 $26.85

$35.60 $35.60

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 $0.81

$0.77 $0.77

$0.97 $0.97

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

$35.6K $35.6K

$24.6K $24.6K

$36.1K $36.1K

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

$25.5K $25.5K

$24.9K $24.9K

$26.4K $26.4K

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

$203 $203

$127 $127

$310 $310

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

$48.42 $48.42

$32.89 $32.89

$89.7 $89.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.8 $59.8

$44.85 $44.85

$99.7 $99.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.12 $43.12

$17.55 $17.55

$50.1 $50.1

Cinema Ticket

$14.23 $14.23

$12.20 $12.20

$15.25 $15.25

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

$1,431 $1,431

$945 $945

$1,970 $1,970

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.9K $29.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.72 $39.72

$23.43 $23.43

$102 $102

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.80 $42.80

$30.57 $30.57

$66.2 $66.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$58.1 $58.1

$118 $118

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$128 $128

$60.4 $60.4

$201 $201

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 $853

$502 $502

$1,204 $1,204

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$743 $743

$1,486 $1,486

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,991 $1,991

$2,986 $2,986

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$860 $860

$2,531 $2,531

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,531 $1,531

$1,492 $1,492

$1,569 $1,569

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,500 $1,500

$1,394 $1,394

$1,592 $1,592

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,467 $3,467

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.43

6.8

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Waterloo, IA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

236

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

315

Mbps

197

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Waterloo, IA - Frequently Asked Questions

Waterloo tends to offer a balanced value for money compared with larger urban centers. The Cost of Living in Waterloo, IA, United States sits mid-range for the Midwest, with affordable housing relative to metropolitan hubs, solid small-town services, and reasonable grocery options. Utility costs can vary by season, and you’ll notice a slower pace that helps stretch a budget without sacrificing access to coworking spaces, markets, and healthcare. For long stays, consider mixing rental types in walkable neighborhoods to minimize transport. Tip: map neighborhoods by commute, amenities, and internet reliability to prioritize stays that fit your work and lifestyle.

Understanding Waterloo, IA, United States living cost helps you tailor a weekly plan. Start your housing search near downtown or university-adjacent areas to balance walkability with price. You’ll find a mix of older homes, duplexes, and newer rentals; look for energy-efficient features to offset heating costs in winter. Food options range from farmers markets and small groceries to familiar chains and diverse eateries, all reachable by bike or car. Public transit is serviceable, and many coworking spaces and cafés support remote work. For errands, cluster trips by neighborhood to save time and fuel. Tip: test internet speeds in candidate spaces before committing.

Quality of life in Waterloo can be high with thoughtful budgeting and neighborhood fit. Use a simple budgeting framework like 50/30/20 or zero-based budgeting to balance housing, food, transport, and leisure. In winter, heating and utilities may rise; plan for seasonality by layering clothing, using efficient appliances, and choosing energy-conscious rental features. Neighborhood options around downtown offer walkable access to events, cafés, and services, while larger residential districts provide quieter streets and parks. For digital nomads, ensure coworking access and steady internet alongside weekend exploration. Tip: visit in different seasons to gauge how the weather and community vibe affect daily life and costs.