Altoona, IA vs Knoxville, IA

The cost of living difference between Altoona, IA and Knoxville, IA is dramatic. Knoxville is 31.5% cheaper than Altoona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Altoona has a cost index of 90 while Knoxville sits at 68, 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 $810/month in Knoxville — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Knoxville is more affordable at $147,600 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $70,136 in Knoxville (+24.2%). The higher salaries in Altoona partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Altoona spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Knoxville.