Is Austin, TX cheaper than Waterloo, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 15.4% more expensive than Waterloo, IA. This translates to spending an extra $1157 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Waterloo, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Waterloo, IA, you'd need approximately $163,881.104 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Waterloo, IA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 55.5% more expensive than in Waterloo, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $893/month in Waterloo, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Waterloo, IA to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1157 more per month than Waterloo, IA, or $13881 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Waterloo, IA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Waterloo, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

Current salary in Waterloo, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.9K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 15.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,157

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.9K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Waterloo, IA

Population:67K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$144K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:115

Median Home:$558K

Waterloo, IA

The Hawkeye State

67K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 67K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Waterloo, IA vs Austin, TX

Category	Waterloo, IA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,855/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $1,029more	55.5%
📦Other	$1,593/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $148more	9.3%
🏥Healthcare	$679/mo	$589/mo	↓ $90.04less	13.3%
⚡All Utilities	$468/mo	$541/mo	↑ $73.03more	15.6%
🛒Groceries	$905/mo	$959/mo	↑ $53.83more	5.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,233/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $51.52more	4.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 55.5%

Waterloo, IA

$1,855

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$1,029

📦Other

↑ 9.3%

Waterloo, IA

$1,593

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$148

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.3%

Waterloo, IA

$679

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$90.04

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 15.6%

Waterloo, IA

$468

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$73.03

🛒Groceries

↑ 5.9%

Waterloo, IA

$905

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$53.83

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.2%

Waterloo, IA

$1,233

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$51.52

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$615

To$1,585

↑ $970

1 Bed

From$683

To$1,685

↑ $1,002

2 Bed

From$893

To$1,995

↑ $1,102

3 Bed

From$1,155

To$2,525

↑ $1,370

Waterloo, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $750–$810/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,733

Monthly in Waterloo, IA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,265

Difference

Home Values

Waterloo

Austin

$144K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +31.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$92K - $181K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 288% more expensive than Waterloo

Calculate payment - Waterloo Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$892

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Waterloo, IA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Iowa State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.7K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.7K

Take-Home Pay

$8,524/month

$102.3K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Waterloo, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Waterloo

Austin

45 Good

Air Quality

52 Moderate

67.5%

Good Air Days

42.6%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

98 High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Waterloo, IA on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Austin, TX

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Austin, TX

Waterloo, IA

Austin, TX

Waterloo, IA

Austin, TX

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code3 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code40 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Waterloo, IA

Austin, TX

Additional Tax Information

Waterloo, IA Tax Rates

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Austin, TX