City Comparison
Iowa City vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Iowa City
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Urbandale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Iowa City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Iowa City's average rent is
22% higher than Urbandale's.
| Metric | Iowa City | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,021 | +22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $141 | +21% |
| Transport | $100 | $125 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $1,837 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Iowa City offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Iowa City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Iowa City is estimated at
$52,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Iowa City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Iowa City runs warmer on average — a 52.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Iowa City comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Iowa City sees 22.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Iowa City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Iowa City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Iowa City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Iowa City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Iowa City is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Urbandale.
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 | Iowa City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,800 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Iowa City
Advantages
Home to the University of Iowa and world-class UI Health Care facilities, providing exceptional employment and medical care.
Designated as a UNESCO City of Literature with a vibrant arts, cultural, and literary heritage.
Extensive public transit and bicycle infrastructure making the downtown and campus highly walkable.
Crime rates consistently lower than the national average, ensuring a safe family-oriented environment.
Thriving local dining, coffee shop, and independent bookstore scene centered around the historic downtown pedestrian mall.
Drawbacks
Rental market can be volatile and competitive due to the seasonal influx and exodus of university students.
Property tax rates in Iowa are relatively high compared to some neighboring states.
Winters bring cold temperatures and significant snowfall, requiring active snow removal and winter preparedness.
Traffic congestion around campus and major medical centers during peak morning and afternoon commuting hours.
Limited major manufacturing or heavy industry base, concentrating economic reliance primarily on education and healthcare.
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.
Iowa City
#121Iowa, USA
66.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
52.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
81
Business
72
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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