City Comparison
Marion vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marion
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Urbandale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Marion.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marion's average rent is
22% higher than Urbandale's.
| Metric | Marion | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,021 | +22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $141 | +24% |
| Transport | $115 | $125 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $1,837 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Marion offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Marion delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Marion is estimated at
$52,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Marion | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,118 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marion runs warmer on average — a 50.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marion comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marion sees 24 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marion | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Marion leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marion | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Urbandale is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Marion.
From a growth perspective, Marion 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 | Marion | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marion
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional public school performance across the Marion Independent and Linn-Mar Community School Districts.
Consistently low crime rates and high community safety rankings relative to national standards.
Robust local economy anchored by the Cedar Rapids metropolitan employment and industrial base.
Extensive park system and growing recreational trail network, including the CeMar Trail connection.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Iowa state property tax rates can be relatively high for homeowners compared to other states.
Winter weather conditions bring cold temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 24 inches annually.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition during peak spring and summer markets.
Limited late-night entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan 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.
Marion
#21Iowa, USA
73.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Marion and Urbandale.
Open Cost Calculator