City Comparison
Marshalltown vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marshalltown
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Marshalltown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Urbandale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marshalltown's average rent is
17% lower than Urbandale's.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,021 | -17% |
| Groceries | $370 | $400 | -8% |
| Utilities | $165 | $141 | +17% |
| Transport | $110 | $125 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,715 | $1,837 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Urbandale offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Marshalltown delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Marshalltown is estimated at
$42,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $55,400 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marshalltown runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marshalltown comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marshalltown sees 26.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Marshalltown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Marshalltown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marshalltown | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Urbandale is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Marshalltown.
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 | Marshalltown | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,500 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marshalltown
Advantages
Median home prices in Marshalltown are substantially lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 20 minutes.
A revitalized downtown district offers local dining, community events, and cultural festivals.
Strong local manufacturing and healthcare sectors provide steady employment opportunities.
Abundant parks and recreational areas support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options create a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Severe weather events, including tornadoes and winter storms, occasionally impact the region.
Fewer entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan areas like Des Moines.
Average household incomes trail state and national benchmarks.
Opportunities for remote tech and corporate careers locally are relatively sparse.
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.
Marshalltown
#212Iowa, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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