Altoona, IA vs Cedar Falls, IA

Altoona, IA and Cedar Falls, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Altoona scores 90 while Cedar Falls scores 87 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 $1,177/month in Cedar Falls — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Cedar Falls is more affordable at $252,500 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $74,165 in Cedar Falls (+17.5%). While Altoona 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, less than the 19% in Cedar Falls.