CostIndexUSA

Vallejo, CA vs Waterloo, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Waterloo
87.1
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Waterloo is significantly cheaper than Vallejo — 19.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Vallejo, you would need $64,200 in Waterloo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing55.6%
Vallejo
142
Waterloo
63.1
🛒 Groceries10.9%
Vallejo
105.2
Waterloo
93.7
🚗 Transportation7.3%
Vallejo
105.3
Waterloo
97.6
🏥 Healthcare7.3%
Vallejo
95.3
Waterloo
88.3
Utilities46.0%
Vallejo
155
Waterloo
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waterloo, IA
$64,200
$15,800 less needed in Waterloo

Formula: salary × (87.1 ÷ 108.5) = salary × 0.8028. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Waterloo, IA

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

Vallejo has 55.6% lower housing costs compared to Waterloo.

Income & Job Market

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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).

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.