Altoona, IA vs Marion, IA

Marion is moderately more affordable than Altoona, with a 12.4% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 90 compared to 80 for Marion, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Altoona can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $1,203/month compared to $978/month in Marion — a 23% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marion is more affordable at $230,800 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $87,105 in Marion. Looking at affordability, residents of Altoona spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 13.5% in Marion.