2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Cary, NC vs Waterloo, IA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Waterloo or is it cheaper to live in Cary?
- Waterloo is 28.4% less expensive than Cary.

Which city has more affordable housing, Waterloo or Cary?
- Waterloo housing costs are 74.6% less expensive than Cary housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Cary or is Health Care more affordable in Waterloo.
- Health related expenses are 10.5% more in Waterloo.
 Cary, NCWaterloo, IAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock75.7100
 Food & Groceries103.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock104.8100
 Housing157.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$121,000$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock64.3100
 Miscellaneous110.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Cary    63 Reviews

Cary is up-and-coming “cool.” The downtown is revitalized and growing. The town takes urban planning very seriously. The home prices have definitely spiked in the last  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived in NY, CT, MA, and in Miami FL. Now here in Cary NC for the past 10 years. For what I want and need at this phase of my life, I really like it here! All the  More

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Over 8 years ago

As a Real Estate Agent, I consider Cary the most central location in the Triangle, it basically takes you twenty minutes to get to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough,   More

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Reviews for Waterloo    5 Reviews

The bike racks recently installed on the MET buses was a great idea for a community that has numerous bike riders and  More

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Over 17 years ago

Unless you're into getting wasted on a regular basis there's not a lot to do here. Most people barhop for fun. Being someone who doesn't drink and doesn't enjoy being  More

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Over 17 years ago

So the weather is emotional here - on and off during the summer its hot and rainy, yet during the fall it is quite often beautiful. Winters can be long, and spring can  More

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