Living in Alta Vista, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Alta Vista · Census data 2020–2024
Alta Vista has 194 residents with a median age of 41.8. The median household income is $44,500 (41% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $68,200, the median rent is $640/month.
Alta Vista is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Alta Vista at a glance
- Population
- 194
- Median age
- 41.8State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $44,500State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $68,200State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $640/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 69%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 4.4%
- Average commute
- 32 min
Is Alta Vista a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 67% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.8%.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 32 minutes; a poverty rate of 12.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Alta Vista
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Alta Vista the median home value is $68,200, 80% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $640 per month, which is 18.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $967 a month in housing costs.
Alta Vista median household income
The median household income in Alta Vista is $44,500 and the income per person is $32,798. 12.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Alta Vista: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 106
- Owner-occupied
- 69%
- Renter-occupied
- 31%
- Vacant
- 5.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1940
- Average household size
- 1.94
Alta Vista demographics
- Population
- 194
- Median age
- 41.8
- Under 18
- 16%
- 65 and older
- 16.5%
- Households
- 100
- Foreign-born
- 14.4%
- Veterans
- 4.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Alta Vista ›
Education in Alta Vista
4.4% of adults 25 and older in Alta Vista have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 1.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Alta Vista
- Unemployment rate
- 0.8%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 32 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 18.3%
- Drive alone
- 60.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 9.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 74%
Alta Vista vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alta Vista | 194 | $44,500 | $68,200 | $640 |
| Elma | 659 | $44,375 | $81,300 | $689 |
| North Washington | 134 | $71,964 | $135,000 | — |
| New Hampton | 3,453 | $62,870 | $167,700 | $743 |
| Ionia | 336 | $73,945 | $95,700 | $533 |
| Riceville | 823 | $44,615 | $112,100 | $1,156 |
| Charles City | 7,232 | $59,180 | $115,400 | $735 |
| Lawler | 363 | $65,833 | $117,100 | $621 |
| Protivin | 312 | $71,667 | $116,900 | $594 |
More for people moving to Alta Vista
Alta Vista ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Alta Vista: FAQ
What is the median household income in Alta Vista, IA?
The median household income in Alta Vista is $44,500, 41% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Alta Vista?
The median home value in Alta Vista is $68,200, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Alta Vista?
The median gross rent in Alta Vista is $640 per month, about 18.2% of household income.
Is Alta Vista, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 67% lower than the state median; unemployment of 0.8%. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 32 minutes; a poverty rate of 12.9%.
What is the median age in Alta Vista?
The median age in Alta Vista is 41.8 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Alta Vista?
The average commute to work in Alta Vista is 32 minutes; 18.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Alta Vista?
The unemployment rate in Alta Vista is 0.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Alta Vista?
4.4% of adults in Alta Vista have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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