Altoona, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

The cost of living difference between Altoona, IA and Ottumwa, IA is dramatic. Ottumwa is 31.7% cheaper than Altoona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Altoona has a cost index of 90 while Ottumwa 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 $956/month in Ottumwa — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Ottumwa is more affordable at $92,400 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $56,994 in Ottumwa (+52.9%). 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, less than the 20.1% in Ottumwa.