Altoona, IA vs Waukee, IA

Altoona is moderately more affordable than Waukee, with a 8.6% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 90 compared to 98 for Waukee, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waukee 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 $1,290/month in Waukee — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Altoona is more affordable at $257,300 median vs $328,200.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $106,728 in Waukee (-18.4%). While Waukee 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 14.5% in Waukee.