Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Waterloo, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 15.6% more expensive than Waterloo, IA. This translates to spending an extra $1174 per month.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Waterloo, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Waterloo, IA, you'd need approximately $164,082.815 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Waterloo, IA and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 50.3% more expensive than in Waterloo, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $893/month in Waterloo, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Waterloo, IA to Phoenix, AZ?

Living in Phoenix, AZ costs approximately $1174 more per month than Waterloo, IA, or $14083 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Waterloo, IA vs Phoenix, AZ: 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 Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.1K in Phoenix, AZ

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

Overall Cost

↑ 15.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,174

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.1K

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

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:116

Median Home:$414K

Waterloo, IA

The Hawkeye State

67K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Fastest growing major city
•Desert metropolis
•Spring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Waterloo, IA vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Waterloo, IA	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,855/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $933more	50.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,233/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $256more	20.8%
⚡All Utilities	$468/mo	$561/mo	↑ $93.25more	19.9%
🏥Healthcare	$679/mo	$589/mo	↓ $90.04less	13.3%
📦Other	$1,593/mo	$1,677/mo	↑ $83.94more	5.3%
🛒Groceries	$905/mo	$963/mo	↑ $57.82more	6.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 50.3%

Waterloo, IA

$1,855

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$933

🚗Transportation

↑ 20.8%

Waterloo, IA

$1,233

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$256

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.9%

Waterloo, IA

$468

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$93.25

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.3%

Waterloo, IA

$679

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$90.04

less

📦Other

↑ 5.3%

Waterloo, IA

$1,593

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$83.94

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.4%

Waterloo, IA

$905

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$57.82

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$615

To$1,390

↑ $775

1 Bed

From$683

To$1,510

↑ $827

2 Bed

From$893

To$1,750

↑ $857

3 Bed

From$1,155

To$2,330

↑ $1,175

Waterloo, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $750–$810/mo

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$2,380/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

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$1,335

Difference

Home Values

Waterloo

Phoenix

$144K

Median Value

$414K

↑ +1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +31.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$92K - $181K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 188% more expensive than Waterloo

Calculate payment - Waterloo Calculate payment - Phoenix

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $5.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$456

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.6%

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

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

Additional Tax Information

Waterloo, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

💡 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

Phoenix

45 Good

Air Quality

77 Moderate

67.5%

Good Air Days

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌡

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

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

Where your money goes further

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

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

Waterloo, IA

Phoenix, AZ

Waterloo, IA

Phoenix, AZ

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code3 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code39 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Waterloo, IA

Phoenix, AZ

Additional Tax Information

Waterloo, IA Tax Rates

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ