Altoona, WI vs Watertown, WI

Altoona, WI and Watertown, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Altoona scores 85 while Watertown scores 82 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 $1,157/month compared to $1,061/month in Watertown — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Watertown is more affordable at $211,500 median vs $220,900.

Median household income in Altoona is $80,126 compared to $68,333 in Watertown (+17.3%). 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 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.6% in Watertown.