2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Cedar Rapids, IA vs Waterloo, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Waterloo, is 22% less than it is in Cedar Rapids and is 40% below the National Average.
- Cedar Rapids unemployment rate is 5.9%.
- Waterloo unemployment rate is 5.6%.
 Cedar Rapids, IAWaterloo, IAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.6%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock0.3%1.6%
 Future Job Growth25.1%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes7.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock7.4%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$35,566  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$49,430$69,021
 Family Median Income$81,152  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Cedar Rapids, IAWaterloo, IAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock12.2%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K3.8%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock10.8%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K9.0%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock9.9%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.9%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock10.1%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K14.8%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock11.7%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K6.2%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock3.0%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Cedar Rapids, IAWaterloo, IAUnited States
 Management, business, finance15.5%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock4.9%6.5%
 Community, social services2.0%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.8%1.2%
 Education, library4.8%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock0.8%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology5.6%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock4.1%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.4%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock6.9%5.4%
 Building maintenance2.4%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.4%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support21.8%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.6%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair7.4%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock25.5%13.1%
Reviews for Cedar Rapids    39 Reviews

My biggest gripe is the winter weather and more specifically the wind. The wind does not stop blowing the entire winter. It starts around November when NW winds start  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Such a horrible place. The racism is too much. You cant even take a walk to the park without hearing a racial insult thrown at you. You cant even go to the store  More

   |    Reply

I grew up here, moved away, came back to raise my family and have been back since 1993. I love this city!!! There is SOOO much to do. There are 3-4 community theatre  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Cedar Rapids

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Waterloo


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.