Altoona, IA vs Denison, IA

The cost of living difference between Altoona, IA and Denison, IA is dramatic. Denison is 35.5% cheaper than Altoona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Altoona has a cost index of 90 while Denison sits at 66, 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 Altoona is $1,203/month compared to $770/month in Denison — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Denison is more affordable at $137,600 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $63,850 in Denison (+36.4%). 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 14.5% in Denison.