Waterloo, Iowa
Among the top 25% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 44% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 48% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 18% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 75% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 37% of US places
- top 4% for commute time
- top 6% for cost of living
- bottom 6% for air quality
Waterloo is a mid-size city in Iowa with about 67,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include commute time, cost of living, and natural disaster risk. It rates lower on violent crime and air quality.
Official websiteci.waterloo.ia.us (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
v.cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
cool
cold
v.cold
78%53%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.9 in1.3 in
humid 91%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$54k35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$41kbetter than 94% of US places
Home Value$142k42nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$865better than 56% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 62% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.73%better than 17% of US places
Income Tax6.00%better than 29% of US places
Sales Tax6.94%better than 68% of US places
Estimated total tax burden12.83%better than 25% of US places
Unemployment7.1%better than 25% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)19°F11th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation38.5 in40th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall39.1 inbetter than 22% of US places
Sunny Days233 daysbetter than 50% of US places
Summer Humidity64°Fbetter than 49% of US places
Comfortable Days89 daysbetter than 68% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk23.4better than 94% of US places
Air Quality54 AQIbetter than 6% of US places
School Quality60.0better than 53% of US places
Violent Crime1764/100kbetter than 11% of US places
Property Crime2505/100kbetter than 11% of US places
Community
Population67,25698th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age36.729th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4780th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9953rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)67.8%29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)17.5%89th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)7.1%65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)2.7%84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.0%70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time17 minbetter than 96% of US places
Walkability9.3/20better than 83% of US places
Airport Distance171 mibetter than 13% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access84.1%better than 42% of US places
Amenities Nearby30.03better than 28% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 64% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Waterloo an affordable place to live?
- Waterloo is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $41k, better than 94% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Waterloo?
- The median home value in Waterloo is $142k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Waterloo?
- Median household income in Waterloo is $54k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Waterloo?
- Median gross rent in Waterloo is $865 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Waterloo safe?
- Waterloo is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1764/100k (better than 11%). Property crime is 2505/100k.
- What is the weather like in Waterloo?
- Waterloo averages 74°F in July and 19°F in January, with 38.5 in of annual precipitation and about 233 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Waterloo?
- Public-school quality in Waterloo is about average, scoring better than 53% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Waterloo?
- The average one-way commute in Waterloo is 17 min.
Other places in Black Hawk County
Places near Waterloo
Compare Waterloo
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)