Altoona, KS vs Elwood, KS

Altoona is moderately more affordable than Elwood, with a 12.5% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 57 compared to 65 for Elwood, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elwood can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $706/month compared to $883/month in Elwood — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Altoona is more affordable at $50,200 median vs $90,000.

Median household income in Altoona is $44,107 compared to $66,364 in Elwood (-33.5%). While Elwood 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 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in Elwood.

Climate-wise, Altoona is notably warmer with an average of 58°F compared to 53.7°F in Elwood. Altoona receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 34.8" in Elwood.