CostIndexUSA

Anaheim, CA vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Anaheim
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Waterloo is significantly cheaper than Anaheim — 23.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anaheim, you would need $61,300 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing63.0%
Anaheim
170.4
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries12.1%
Anaheim
106.6
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation10.9%
Anaheim
109.6
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare10.9%
Anaheim
99.1
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities47.2%
Anaheim
158.6
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anaheim to see what you'd need to earn in Waterloo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$61,300
$18,700 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.7667. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Waterloo, IA

Median Home Price
$192,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
63.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Anaheim has 63.0% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

Income & Job Market

Anaheim, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
346,824
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Waterloo, IA

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
67,470
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anaheim, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Waterloo, IA
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.