Alta Vista, IA vs Beacon, IA

Alta Vista, IA and Beacon, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. Alta Vista scores 62 while Beacon scores 60 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 Vista is $825/month compared to $729/month in Beacon — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Beacon has cheaper rent, Alta Vista actually has lower median home values ($68,600 vs $76,200).

Median household income in Alta Vista is $53,750 compared to $56,000 in Beacon (-4%). Beacon 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 Vista spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 15.6% in Beacon.