City Comparison
Fort Dodge vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Dodge
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Dodge is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Urbandale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Dodge's average rent is
17% lower than Urbandale's.
| Metric | Fort Dodge | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,021 | -17% |
| Groceries | $350 | $400 | -13% |
| Utilities | $170 | $141 | +21% |
| Transport | $110 | $125 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,700 | $1,837 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Urbandale offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Dodge delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Dodge is estimated at
$42,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Fort Dodge | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Dodge runs warmer on average — a 50.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Dodge comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Dodge sees 37.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Dodge | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Dodge has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Urbandale.
For walkability, Fort Dodge leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Dodge | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Urbandale is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Fort Dodge.
From a growth perspective, Urbandale is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Urbandale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Dodge | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,869 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Dodge
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average per Census Bureau data.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time on personal pursuits.
Strong regional healthcare presence anchored by UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
Active local arts scene highlighted by the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.
Drawbacks
Cold winter climates with significant snowfall can pose challenges for daily travel and outdoor activities.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Slower population growth compared to larger metropolitan areas in Iowa like Des Moines.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters positions within the immediate city limits.
Nightlife and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger urban centers.
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.
Fort Dodge
#261Iowa, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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