Alton, IA vs Saylorville, IA

The cost of living difference between Alton, IA and Saylorville, IA is dramatic. Alton is 32.6% cheaper than Saylorville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Alton has a cost index of 71 while Saylorville sits at 106, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Alton is $750/month compared to $1,642/month in Saylorville — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alton is more affordable at $204,600 median vs $287,700.

Median household income in Alton is $86,136 compared to $80,250 in Saylorville (+7.3%). 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 24.6% in Saylorville.