Cost of Living in Waterloo, IL

An Overview of Cost of Living in Waterloo, IL

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Waterloo? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Waterloo stands at 96, making it 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

In Waterloo, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Waterloo will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Waterloo Affordable?

Is Waterloo affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Waterloo, for instance, where the median home price falls 10.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 19.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Waterloo flaunting a median household income of $71,207, 28.7% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Waterloo?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Waterloo, the healthcare costs are 11.3% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Waterloo, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates kick off at 4.95%.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Waterloo displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.