Alton, IA vs Carter Lake, IA

Alton is moderately more affordable than Carter Lake, with a 10.2% lower cost of living index. Alton scores 71 compared to 79 for Carter Lake, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Carter Lake can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alton is $750/month compared to $1,115/month in Carter Lake — a 33% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alton has cheaper rent, Carter Lake actually has lower median home values ($161,200 vs $204,600).

Median household income in Alton is $86,136 compared to $75,037 in Carter Lake (+14.8%). Alton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Alton spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.8% in Carter Lake.