CostIndexUSA

Moreno Valley, CA vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Moreno Valley
106.4
overall index
$2,475/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Waterloo is significantly cheaper than Moreno Valley — 18.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Moreno Valley, you would need $65,500 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing51.2%
Moreno Valley
129.3
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries7.6%
Moreno Valley
101.4
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation8.2%
Moreno Valley
106.3
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare8.2%
Moreno Valley
96.2
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities43.7%
Moreno Valley
148.6
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$65,500
$14,500 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 106.4) = salary × 0.8186. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Home Price
$576,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,475
Housing Index
129.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.4×

Waterloo, IA

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

Moreno Valley has 51.2% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

Income & Job Market

Moreno Valley, CA

Median Household Income
$87,800
Per Capita Income
$50,000
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
208,634
Top Industries
HealthcareLogisticsManufacturingRetailEducation

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).

Moreno Valley, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

66% 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.