Altoona, IA vs Decorah, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Decorah is 20.1% cheaper than Altoona. With a cost index of 75 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Decorah to Altoona should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $1,203/month compared to $788/month in Decorah — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decorah is more affordable at $234,600 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $62,177 in Decorah (+40.1%). 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, more than the 15.2% in Decorah.