Altoona, IA vs Bettendorf, IA

Altoona, IA and Bettendorf, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Altoona scores 90 while Bettendorf scores 90 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 Altoona is $1,203/month compared to $1,148/month in Bettendorf — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Bettendorf has cheaper rent, Altoona actually has lower median home values ($257,300 vs $295,600).

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $102,917 in Bettendorf (-15.3%). While Bettendorf is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Altoona spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.4% in Bettendorf.