2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Altoona, IA vs Ottumwa, IA

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Highlights
Are people in Ottumwa older or younger than people in Altoona?
- The Median Age in Ottumwa is 1.5 years older than in Altoona.

Are housing costs cheaper in Ottumwa or Altoona?
- Ottumwa housing costs are 64.7% less expensive than Altoona housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Ottumwa or Altoona?
- The average commute for residents of Ottumwa is 4.8 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Altoona.

Things to do in Altoona?
Altoona, IA is an inviting town northeast of Des Moines full of amazing places to explore like Adventureland Park presenting its distinctive landscape or Ewing Park hosting outdoor activities; their annual event Altoona Days brings people together with food and games every August.

Things to do in Ottumwa?
Ottumwa, IA is a charming city located in Wapello County. With an estimated population of 25,000 people, Ottumwa has something special for everyone. From outdoor activities like fishing and hiking to cultural attractions like the American Gothic House–there's always something new to explore in this lively city. Residents also benefit from easy access to quality public and private schools as well as excellent healthcare facilities. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation—Ottumwa has something special for everyone!

 Altoona, IAOttumwa, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock25,379329,725,481
 Median Income$83,514  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock37.738.4
 Avg. Home Price$276,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.2  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Altoona    0 Reviews

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Reviews for Ottumwa    5 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

Ottumwa has a seemingly high rate of theft-related crimes as well as drug use which I'm sure correlates to the incidences of assault. For a community of 20-30,000, the  More

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Over 16 years ago

ottumwa, Iowa has no diverse culture. It is not very open especially when it comes to branching out to new ideas of others culture...The idea of culture here is the pro  More

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Over 17 years ago

Pros: 1. Extremely low cost of living and housing 2. Affordable place to live Cons: 1. High crime rate 2. Very poor school system 3. Economically depressed 4.  More

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