Altoona, IA vs Chester, PA
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
Altoona leads in crime level (3.9 vs 22.8). Altoona leads in median household income ($89,100 vs $39,193). Chester leads in cost of living index (86 vs 99).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Altoona, IA | Chester, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,698 | 33,595 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $321,727 | $0 |
| Median Household Income | $89,100 | $39,193 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 21.7 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 60 |
| Crime Level | 3.9 | 22.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 99 | 86 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.9 | D+23.7 |
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 →
—
Score
Chester, PA
Small Pennsylvania city with local appeal
Population
33,595
Crime
High
Walk Score
60
Median Income
$39,193
Northeast
View Chester, PA →