| Index | Urbandale | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 106 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 124 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 94 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Urbandale? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Urbandale stands at 106, making it 6% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Urbandale are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Urbandale can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
When it comes to the cost of living in Urbandale, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 24% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Urbandale an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Urbandale is 34.2% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 0.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Urbandale has a median household income of $143,701, which is 76.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Urbandale, the housing index is 24% higher than the national average.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Urbandale, the utilities index registers 2.7% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Urbandale are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Utilities index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $164,231 | $13,686 | $3,832 | $4,927 |
| Renters | $76,044 | $6,337 | $1,774 | $2,282 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Spring Hill, IA | 49 | 86 | 14.5% |
| Elkhart, IA | 709 | 91 | 9.2% |
| Des Moines, IA | 221,968 | 91 | 8.5% |
| Carlisle, IA | 4,329 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Dallas Center, IA | 1,744 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Urbandale, IA | 45,000 | 106 | 5.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Riverton, UT | 44,974 | 128 | 28.0% |
| El Centro, CA | 45,037 | 111 | 11.3% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | 44,960 | 101 | 0.7% |
| Altamonte Springs, FL | 45,050 | 106 | 6.3% |
| Cutler Bay, FL | 45,068 | 123 | 22.7% |
| Urbandale, IA | 45,000 | 106 | 5.7% |
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