Altoona, IA vs Urbandale, IA

Altoona, IA and Urbandale, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Altoona scores 90 while Urbandale scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $1,203/month compared to $1,176/month in Urbandale — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Urbandale has cheaper rent, Altoona actually has lower median home values ($257,300 vs $318,800).

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $113,086 in Urbandale (-23%). While Urbandale 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 12.5% in Urbandale.