City Comparison
Ames vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ames
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Urbandale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Ames.
| Metric | Ames | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,021 | +3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $160 | $141 | +13% |
| Transport | $100 | $125 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,920 | $1,837 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ames offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ames delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ames is estimated at
$52,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Ames | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ames runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ames comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ames sees 28.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ames | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Ames scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ames leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ames | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ames is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Urbandale.
From a growth perspective, Urbandale is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Ames | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,439 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 24.8 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ames
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in the United States per FBI crime data.
Home to Iowa State University, providing world-class cultural events, Division I athletics, and continuing education.
Extensive network of parks, natural areas, and over 55 miles of paved bicycle and pedestrian trails.
Strong local economy anchored by education, biotech research, and healthcare with steady job growth.
Highly rated public school district with excellent graduation rates and student resources.
Drawbacks
Rental market can be competitive and subject to price surges driven by the academic calendar.
Winters bring harsh temperatures and significant snowfall requiring robust municipal snow removal.
Local sales and property taxes in Iowa can feel relatively high compared to some neighboring states.
Public transportation options outside of the core CyRide routes are somewhat limited.
Proximity to a major airport requires a 40-minute drive to Des Moines International.
Urbandale
Advantages
Urbandale boasts a very low crime rate, being 66% lower than the national average, making it one of Iowa's safest sizeable cities.
The cost of living in Urbandale is 10% lower than the national average, with housing and utility expenses being particularly affordable.
The city offers a high quality of life, supported by numerous parks, extensive trail systems, and a strong sense of community.
Urbandale has a thriving economy with a 2.25% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, driven by strong sectors like Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
Public schools accessible to Urbandale residents generally perform above the state average, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Urbandale is largely car-dependent, with a low Walk Score of 32, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
While DART bus routes exist, the public transit system is not extensive, leading to a low Transit Score.
There are no major general hospitals located directly within Urbandale's city limits, requiring residents to travel to nearby Des Moines for comprehensive hospital care.
The city's lifestyle, while safe and family-friendly, is sometimes described as lacking a vibrant nightlife or particularly exciting entertainment options.
Despite overall affordability, the median property value in Urbandale is slightly above the national average, which could be a barrier for some homebuyers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ames
#100Iowa, USA
67.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
Business
74
Urbandale
#11Iowa, USA
75.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,021
Avg Salary
$55,170
Cost Index
90
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
32.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
90
Business
75
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