salaryRent is lower than in 58% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.9 minutes. Most homes (78.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $59,880 a year. That is $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Iowa cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Iowa. It is number 72 of 86 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Urbandale?
Share of households by yearly income. 45.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Urbandale
| Size | Urbandale | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,119 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,228 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,266 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,796 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,800 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Urbandale overall?
Everyday prices in Iowa overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Urbandale, so the Iowa figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Urbandale
Life in Urbandale
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Urbandale?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $831 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $335,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $33,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Urbandale, IA?
Renting in Urbandale costs a median of about $1,497 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Iowa median is $1,071.
How much do I need to make to live in Urbandale?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $59,880 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Urbandale cheap or expensive?
Urbandale is rated Cheap: rent takes 14.8% of the typical household income of $121,649. It ranks 72nd cheapest of 86 Iowa cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Urbandale?
The median homeowner in Urbandale pays $5,563 a year in property taxes, about 1.66% of the median home value.
Is Urbandale more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Iowa are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Urbandale?
The median home value in Urbandale is $335,500, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
46,595 people live in Urbandale. Numbers are typical (middle) values.