Altoona, IA vs Apple Valley, MN
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Altoona
75.4
#455 nationally
Apple Valley
72.8
#818 nationally
Altoona leads in crime level (3.9 vs 5.9). Altoona leads in cost of living index (99 vs 113). Altoona leads in average commute (23.1 min vs 26.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Altoona, IA | Apple Valley, MN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.4 (#455) | 72.8 (#818) |
| Population | 21,698 | 55,336 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $321,727 | $381,926 |
| Median Household Income | $89,100 | $97,588 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 26.1 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 21 |
| Crime Level | 3.9 | 5.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 99 | 113 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+12.9 |
Data coverage note: Altoona is missing data for 1 metric that Apple Valley has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
C
75.4 Score
Altoona, IA
Small Iowa city with local appeal
Median Home
$321,727
Population
21,698
Crime
Low
Median Income
$89,100
Midwest
View Altoona, IA →
C-
72.8 Score
Apple Valley, MN
Minnesota community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$381,926
Population
55,336
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
21
Midwest
View Apple Valley, MN →
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