City Comparison
Waterloo vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterloo
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Waterloo | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,021 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $141 | +24% |
| Transport | $110 | $125 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,845 | $1,837 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterloo offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waterloo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterloo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Waterloo | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,235 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waterloo runs warmer on average — a 50.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waterloo comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterloo sees 22.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterloo | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Waterloo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waterloo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Waterloo | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterloo is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x 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 | Waterloo | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,325 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Waterloo
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and local real estate data
Average commute times are short, reducing daily travel stress
Abundant outdoor recreation options including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Strong local healthcare presence with MercyOne and UnityPoint Health facilities
Rich cultural amenities such as the Grout Museum District and Lost Island Waterpark
Drawbacks
Cold and snowy winter conditions can be challenging for residents
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan areas
Property taxes in Black Hawk County can be relatively high
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates
Job market heavily relies on a few major industrial employers
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.
Waterloo
#366Iowa, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
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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