CostIndexUSA

Overland Park, KS vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

KS
Overland Park
92.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Waterloo is moderately cheaper than Overland Park — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Overland Park, you would need $75,300 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing27.1%
Overland Park
86.6
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Overland Park
94.1
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Overland Park
98
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Overland Park
88.7
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities6.0%
Overland Park
89
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 92.5) = salary × 0.9416. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Overland Park, KS

Median Home Price
$312,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.9×

Waterloo, IA

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

Overland Park has 27.1% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

Income & Job Market

Overland Park, KS

Median Household Income
$79,800
Per Capita Income
$45,500
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
197,238
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyHealthcareEducationRetail

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).

Overland Park, KS
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.