Alta, IA vs Keystone, IA

Alta, IA and Keystone, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Alta scores 70 while Keystone scores 73 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 $992/month in Keystone — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alta is more affordable at $125,800 median vs $141,100.

Median household income in Alta is $66,118 compared to $68,750 in Keystone (-3.8%). The higher salaries in Keystone partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Alta spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 17.3% in Keystone.