Altoona, IA vs Perry, IA

The cost of living difference between Altoona, IA and Perry, IA is dramatic. Perry is 30.4% cheaper than Altoona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Altoona has a cost index of 90 while Perry sits at 69, 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 $877/month in Perry — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Perry is more affordable at $122,100 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $63,983 in Perry (+36.2%). 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 16.4% in Perry.