Living in Altoona, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Altoona · Census data 2020–2024
Altoona has 21,495 residents with a median age of 36.1. The median household income is $86,114 (15% higher than the Iowa median), the median home value is $274,600, the median rent is $1,235/month.
Altoona at a glance
- Population
- 21,495
- Median age
- 36.1State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $86,114State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $274,600State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $1,235/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 68.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 33.5%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Altoona a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 15% higher than the Iowa median; a poverty rate of 8.3%.
Cons: Home values 32% higher than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Altoona
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Altoona the median home value is $274,600, 17% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,235 per month, which is 28.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,813 a month in housing costs.
Altoona median household income
The median household income in Altoona is $86,114 and the income per person is $42,593. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Altoona: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,773
- Owner-occupied
- 68.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 31.3%
- Vacant
- 3.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1998
- Average household size
- 2.51
Altoona demographics
- Population
- 21,495
- Median age
- 36.1
- Under 18
- 25.6%
- 65 and older
- 17.1%
- Households
- 8,489
- Foreign-born
- 5%
- Veterans
- 9.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Altoona ›
Education in Altoona
33.5% of adults 25 and older in Altoona have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 10.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Altoona
- Unemployment rate
- 7.5%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 13%
- Drive alone
- 81%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 0.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 93.7%
Altoona vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | 21,495 | $86,114 | $274,600 | $1,235 |
| Bondurant | 8,560 | $135,674 | $318,800 | $1,337 |
| Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | $90,508 | $295,100 | $1,215 |
| Mitchellville | 2,579 | $81,172 | $206,600 | $779 |
| Saylorville | 3,366 | $117,821 | $314,300 | — |
| Ankeny | 72,615 | $108,198 | $331,000 | $1,319 |
| Des Moines | 212,421 | $65,932 | $194,700 | $1,090 |
| Carlisle | 4,255 | $109,191 | $234,300 | $1,000 |
| Elkhart | 899 | $84,554 | $253,900 | $836 |
More for people moving to Altoona
Altoona ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Altoona: FAQ
What is the median household income in Altoona, IA?
The median household income in Altoona is $86,114, 15% higher 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 Altoona?
The median home value in Altoona is $274,600, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Altoona?
The median gross rent in Altoona is $1,235 per month, about 28.4% of household income.
Is Altoona, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 15% higher than the Iowa median; a poverty rate of 8.3%. Minuses: home values 32% higher than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 7.5%.
What is the median age in Altoona?
The median age in Altoona is 36.1 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Altoona?
The average commute to work in Altoona is 23 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Altoona?
The unemployment rate in Altoona is 7.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Altoona?
33.5% of adults in Altoona 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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