Alton, IA vs Eagle Grove, IA

Alton, IA and Eagle Grove, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Alton scores 71 while Eagle Grove scores 70 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 Alton is $750/month compared to $991/month in Eagle Grove — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Alton has cheaper rent, Eagle Grove actually has lower median home values ($95,100 vs $204,600).

Median household income in Alton is $86,136 compared to $58,458 in Eagle Grove (+47.3%). While Alton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alton spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 20.3% in Eagle Grove.