Altoona vs Norwalk
A side-by-side look at two Des Moines metro areas buyers often weigh against each other — current values, rents, market pace, and demographics.
Side by side
| Metric | Altoona | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $322,616 | $337,407 |
| Value change, past year | -0.5% | +1.8% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,436 | $1,189 |
| Homes for sale | 117 | 79 |
| Median days to pending | 27 days | 26 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 26% | 30% |
| Median household income | $86,114 | $102,722 |
| Homeownership | 69% | 83% |
| Population | 21,495 | 14,183 |
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year). Cheaper figure highlighted where the two differ.
What the numbers say
- Altoona is the more affordable of the two — typical home values run about 4% below Norwalk.
- Renting is cheaper in Norwalk, which matters if you plan to rent for a year before buying.
- Homes go under contract faster in Norwalk, so expect to move quicker there and to have a bit more room to negotiate in Altoona.
- Norwalk has the higher median household income of the two.
- Altoona is substantially larger than Norwalk — worth weighing if small-town feel is part of what you're after.
The character of each
Altoona
The metro's entertainment corner — and one of its more affordable growing suburbs.
Norwalk
A growing south-metro city that has stayed closer to town than Indianola.
Schools
Altoona: Largely served by the Southeast Polk Community School District, one of the larger districts in the metro. Confirm the boundary by address.
Norwalk: Served by the Norwalk Community School District, which has expanded alongside the city's growth.
Getting around
Altoona: East metro along US-65 and I-80; typically 15–20 minutes to downtown Des Moines outside of peak hours.
Norwalk: South metro via I-35 and Highway 28; commonly 20–25 minutes to downtown Des Moines.
Figures are area-wide typicals, not a valuation of any specific home. Verify school boundaries, property taxes, and current prices by address. Not real-estate or financial advice.