Cost of Living in Waverly, IA

Population 10,446 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

70
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Waverly stay well under national norms: a median home value of $215,000 against median household incomes of $78,429 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Iowa.

Waverly is about 65 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 22% higher than Cedar Rapids' $177,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 71
Rent 69

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Waverly

The median home value in Waverly is $215,200 — 29% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $909/month, 31% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,429/year is 5% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Iowa's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 6.9%. The climate averages highs of 59.3°F and lows of 38.7°F, with about 39.1" of annual snowfall. Overall, Waverly has a cost of living index of 70 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$215,200
29% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$268,161
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$909/mo
31% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$646
1 BR
$716
2 BR
$877
3 BR
$1,170
4 BR
$1,287
Owner-occupied 71.2%
Renter-occupied 28.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$909
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,523/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.4 min
32% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
67.6%
Carpooled
9.5%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
12.5%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
10.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.7%
Total Sales Tax 6.9%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.9%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$78,429
5% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,409
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
31% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Labor Force Participation
65.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 27.3%
Graduate degree 16.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.5
Male median age 31.6
Female median age 33.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
59.3°F
Avg Low
38.7°F
Annual Precip
36.3"
Annual Snowfall
39.1"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 283347617382858377634734
Low °F 111527385061646152402817
Precip" 1.101.141.984.044.615.724.344.173.142.761.851.44
Snow" 10.19.34.61.70.10.00.00.00.00.33.19.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
76.6%
Good air days/yr
151
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
235
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
2,378
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waverly, IA?

Waverly has a cost index of 70 (100 = national average). It is 30% below the national average.

What is average rent in Waverly, IA?

The median gross rent in Waverly is $909 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waverly?

The median home value in Waverly is $215,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Waverly?

The median household income in Waverly is $78,429 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waverly, IA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Waverly is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.

Is Waverly, IA affordable?

Yes, Waverly is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 70 — about 30% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Waverly?

Waverly has average high temperatures of 59.3°F and average lows of 38.7°F. Annual precipitation is 36.3". Average annual snowfall is 39.1". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Waverly at a Glance

Population
10,446
Median Income
$78,429
Home Value
$215,200
Median Rent
$909/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Avg High Temp
59.3°F
Sales Tax
6.9%
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