Buying a Home in Altoona
The metro's entertainment corner — and one of its more affordable growing suburbs.
Altoona anchors the east metro and has an unusual concentration of regional attractions for a city its size: Adventureland, Prairie Meadows, the Outlets of Des Moines, and Bass Pro Shops all sit within a few minutes of each other.
For buyers, it's one of the more affordable growing suburbs, with a steady supply of newer construction and quick access to the east side of Des Moines.
Highlights
- Adventureland Resort and Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
- The Outlets of Des Moines and the surrounding retail corridor
- Newer subdivisions at prices below the western suburbs
- Chichaqua Valley Trail access and a growing city park system
Altoona by the numbers
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year).
Browse current Altoona listings on Zillow →
Schools
Largely served by the Southeast Polk Community School District, one of the larger districts in the metro. Confirm the boundary by address.
Getting around
East metro along US-65 and I-80; typically 15–20 minutes to downtown Des Moines outside of peak hours.
Compare Altoona
How it stacks up against the areas buyers most often weigh against it:
Metro context
Source: Realtor.com via FRED (metro); Zillow Research (value/rent); U.S. Census ACS (demographics) · Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA · updated 2026-08.
Estimate buy vs rent for Altoona →
General guide only — verify school boundaries, taxes, and current prices for any specific address. Not real-estate or financial advice.