City Comparison
Ottumwa vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ottumwa
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ottumwa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Urbandale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ottumwa's average rent is
17% lower than Urbandale's.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,021 | -17% |
| Groceries | $350 | $400 | -13% |
| Utilities | $170 | $141 | +21% |
| Transport | $100 | $125 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $1,837 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Urbandale offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Urbandale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ottumwa is estimated at
$42,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ottumwa runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ottumwa comes out ahead with 274 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ottumwa sees 19.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 274 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ottumwa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Urbandale.
Ottumwa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ottumwa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ottumwa | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 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 0.5x the population of Ottumwa.
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 | Ottumwa | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,514 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ottumwa
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Ottumwa are drastically lower than the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short at under 15 minutes, minimizing daily transit stress.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities are available along the Des Moines River and local parks system.
The local cost of living index is well below the US average, stretching household budgets further.
A vibrant cultural and events calendar is hosted at the modern Bridge View Center downtown.
Drawbacks
Average household incomes and wages lag behind national medians per US Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Certain heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors experience cyclical employment fluctuations.
Public transportation options outside of core fixed bus routes are limited for non-drivers.
Some older housing stock requires significant weatherization and energy-efficiency updates for harsh winters.
Access to specialized medical sub-specialties requires travel to larger regional hospital hubs.
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.
Ottumwa
#231Iowa, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
274/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Ottumwa and Urbandale.
Open Cost Calculator