CostIndexUSA

Greensboro, NC vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Greensboro
92.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Waterloo is moderately cheaper than Greensboro — 6.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Greensboro, you would need $75,000 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.3%
Greensboro
74.5
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries3.0%
Greensboro
96.6
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation5.3%
Greensboro
103.1
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare5.4%
Greensboro
93.3
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities6.1%
Greensboro
89.1
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$75,000
$5,000 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 92.9) = salary × 0.9376. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Greensboro, NC

Median Home Price
$256,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
74.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.2×

Waterloo, IA

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

Greensboro has 15.3% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

Income & Job Market

Greensboro, NC

Median Household Income
$63,300
Per Capita Income
$36,100
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
296,710
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailGovernment

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).

Greensboro, NC
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.