Altoona, IA vs Marshalltown, IA

The cost of living difference between Altoona, IA and Marshalltown, IA is dramatic. Marshalltown is 33.2% cheaper than Altoona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Altoona has a cost index of 90 while Marshalltown 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 $864/month in Marshalltown — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Marshalltown is more affordable at $117,100 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $68,854 in Marshalltown (+26.5%). 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 15.1% in Marshalltown.