CostIndexUSA

Kingsport, TN vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
IA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Kingsport is slightly cheaper than Waterloo — 0.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Kingsport, you would need $80,600 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+11.7%
Kingsport
56.5
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Kingsport
96.2
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Kingsport
100.6
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare3.0%
Kingsport
91
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities+10.3%
Kingsport
75.9
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$80,600
$600 more needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 86.4) = salary × 1.0081. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
56.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0×

Waterloo, IA

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

Waterloo has 11.7% higher housing costs compared to Kingsport.

Income & Job Market

Kingsport, TN

Median Household Income
$53,800
Per Capita Income
$30,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
55,442
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareChemicalsRetailGovernment

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).

Kingsport, TN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.