Alta, IA vs Garnavillo, IA

Alta, IA and Garnavillo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.8% difference in their overall index. Alta scores 70 while Garnavillo scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alta is $915/month compared to $920/month in Garnavillo — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alta has cheaper rent, Garnavillo actually has lower median home values ($117,200 vs $125,800).

Median household income in Alta is $66,118 compared to $81,250 in Garnavillo (-18.6%). Garnavillo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alta spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.6% in Garnavillo.