Living in Alta, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Alta · Census data 2020–2024
Alta has 2,250 residents with a median age of 38.8. The median household income is $65,833 (12% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $146,600, the median rent is $894/month.
Alta at a glance
- Population
- 2,250
- Median age
- 38.8State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $65,833State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $146,600State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $894/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 78.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.2%
- Average commute
- 14 min
Is Alta a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 30% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; a poverty rate of 10.2%.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 18.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Alta
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Alta the median home value is $146,600, 56% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $894 per month, which is 42.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,167 a month in housing costs.
Alta median household income
The median household income in Alta is $65,833 and the income per person is $31,942. 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Alta: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 909
- Owner-occupied
- 78.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 21.7%
- Vacant
- 12.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1965
- Average household size
- 2.82
Alta demographics
- Population
- 2,250
- Median age
- 38.8
- Under 18
- 30%
- 65 and older
- 12.4%
- Households
- 794
- Foreign-born
- 24.6%
- Veterans
- 4.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Alta ›
Education in Alta
21.2% of adults 25 and older in Alta have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 4.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Alta
- Unemployment rate
- 18.8%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 14 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 5.8%
- Drive alone
- 77.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.8%
Alta vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alta | 2,250 | $65,833 | $146,600 | $894 |
| Storm Lake | 11,428 | $62,765 | $172,200 | $898 |
| Aurelia | 991 | $71,500 | $139,900 | $780 |
| Truesdale | 187 | $100,076 | $35,800 | $1,102 |
| Lakeside | 563 | $106,250 | $246,400 | $1,206 |
| Schaller | 775 | $66,510 | $71,500 | $756 |
| Rembrandt | 157 | $58,438 | $85,800 | $675 |
| Galva | 447 | $73,750 | $80,400 | $714 |
| Cherokee | 5,154 | $61,750 | $136,700 | $728 |
More for people moving to Alta
Alta ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Alta: FAQ
What is the median household income in Alta, IA?
The median household income in Alta is $65,833, 12% 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?
The median home value in Alta is $146,600, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Alta?
The median gross rent in Alta is $894 per month, about 42.1% of household income.
Is Alta, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 30% lower than the state median; an average commute of 14 minutes; a poverty rate of 10.2%. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Iowa median; unemployment of 18.8%.
What is the median age in Alta?
The median age in Alta is 38.8 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Alta?
The average commute to work in Alta is 14 minutes; 5.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Alta?
The unemployment rate in Alta is 18.8% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Alta?
21.2% of adults in Alta 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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