Altoona, IA vs Hiawatha, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hiawatha is 21% cheaper than Altoona. With a cost index of 74 vs 90, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hiawatha 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 $846/month in Hiawatha — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hiawatha is more affordable at $210,200 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $67,628 in Hiawatha (+28.8%). 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% in Hiawatha.