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Altoona, Iowa Retirement Guide
established retirement community
70
Retirement Score
Altoona, Iowa at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $244,500
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.
- Avg January Low
- 12.5°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 88.4 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 70 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88.4 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$244,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,140High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
100 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
40.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information + RetireCityIQ nearest-hospital radius model · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
84.5°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Avg January Low
12.5°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Annual Precipitation
30.7"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Sunny Days / Year
290 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
0 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
1.6 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
20,017High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
36.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
14.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$89,100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
69.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
6.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
32.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
6.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
90.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
3.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
4.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
1.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Altoona using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$530
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$595
Median home price used: $244,500
Median rent reference: $1,140 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.