Altoona, KS vs Washington, KS

Washington is moderately more affordable than Altoona, with a 5.3% lower cost of living index. Altoona scores 57 compared to 54 for Washington, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Altoona 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 $517/month in Washington — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Washington has cheaper rent, Altoona actually has lower median home values ($50,200 vs $85,400).

Median household income in Altoona is $44,107 compared to $56,875 in Washington (-22.4%). Washington offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Altoona spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in Washington.