City Comparison
Mason City vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mason City
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mason City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Urbandale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mason City's average rent is
17% lower than Urbandale's.
| Metric | Mason City | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,021 | -17% |
| Groceries | $350 | $400 | -13% |
| Utilities | $160 | $141 | +13% |
| Transport | $100 | $125 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,670 | $1,837 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Urbandale offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mason City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mason City is estimated at
$42,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Mason City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,634 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mason City runs warmer on average — a 48.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mason City comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mason City sees 31.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mason City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mason City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Urbandale.
For walkability, Mason City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mason City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Urbandale is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Mason City.
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 | Mason City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,338 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mason City
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Home to world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center provides top-tier regional healthcare access directly within the city.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion enhance daily convenience.
Strong local cultural institutions like the MacNider Art Museum and active community arts programming.
Drawbacks
Winters feature low temperatures averaging 11.3°F with notable snowfall, requiring cold-weather preparedness.
Public transportation options are limited, creating a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Slower population growth compared to booming metropolitan centers in the US.
Limited high-paying tech or corporate headquarters sectors compared to larger state capitals.
Distance from major major metropolitan hubs like Minneapolis or Des Moines for specialized entertainment.
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.
Mason City
#176Iowa, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
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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