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Quality of Life in Urbandale, IA
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
6% above national average
The Real Cost of Living in Urbandale, IA for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $19k | $35k |
| Comfortable | $62k | $91k |
| Luxury | $176k+ | $273k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $207k+ | $321k+ |
124%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
5 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
10 within 20 miles
Airport
MCI — Kansas City International
Post Office
USPS — 3311 100th Street, Urbandale
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Urbandale, Iowa, is an affluent western suburb of Des Moines where the cost of living sits at 106 on the national index (100 = U.S. average), reflecting a premium for its high-quality schools, low crime rates, and family-oriented atmosphere. The city attracts a mix of professionals working in Des Moines’ insurance and finance sectors, along with families seeking a safe, well-maintained community with strong property values. With a median home value of $318,800 and a median rent of $1,176, Urbandale offers a suburban lifestyle that balances affordability with access to big-city amenities just a short drive away.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how it compares to nearby suburbs
Urbandale’s cost-of-living index of 106 is slightly above the national average but remains competitive within the Des Moines metro. The median home value of $318,800 is notably higher than in neighboring Clive ($290,000) or Johnston ($305,000), but still well below the national median of roughly $420,000. Renters find relative value here: the median rent of $1,176 is about 10% lower than in West Des Moines ($1,300) and comparable to Ankeny. The average commute of just over 18 minutes is significantly shorter than the national average of 26 minutes, giving residents more time for family or recreation. Property taxes in Polk County average around 1.7% of assessed value, which is moderate for the Midwest, and utilities are generally below the U.S. average due to Iowa’s lower energy costs.
Schools, amenities, and what daily life feels like for families
Urbandale is served by the Urbandale Community School District, which consistently earns above-average ratings from Niche and GreatSchools, with Urbandale High School offering strong Advanced Placement programs and a 94% graduation rate. Daily life revolves around the city’s extensive park system—including the 80-acre Urbandale Soccer Complex and the paved trails of the Walnut Creek Greenbelt—and the nearby Clive Aquatic Center for summer recreation. The city’s commercial spine along Douglas Avenue and 86th Street provides grocery stores, chain restaurants, and local businesses, while the Merle Hay Mall and Jordan Creek Town Center are within a 10-minute drive for shopping and dining. Residents frequently cite the low crime rate (violent crime is roughly 60% below the national average) and the well-maintained public spaces as key reasons for choosing Urbandale over busier suburbs like West Des Moines.
Urbandale is best suited for families and professionals who prioritize short commutes, strong public schools, and a quiet, safe environment over nightlife or urban density. Empty-nesters and retirees also find appeal in the city’s walkable neighborhoods near the Urbandale Public Library and the numerous medical facilities along Hickman Road. Those seeking a more affordable entry point into the Des Moines metro may prefer Ankeny or Altoona, but for buyers and renters willing to pay a modest premium for top-tier schools and a 18-minute commute to downtown Des Moines, Urbandale delivers a consistently high quality of life.
Crime in Urbandale, IA
Lower crime rates than 87% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Urbandale, Iowa, is a safe suburb of Des Moines with violent crime rates significantly below national averages, though property crime rates are closer to the national norm. The city recorded a violent crime rate of 118 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 515.3 per 100,000. These figures place Urbandale among the safer communities in the Des Moines metropolitan area, but residents should remain aware of property-related risks, particularly theft from vehicles and residential burglary.
Crime in context
Urbandale’s violent crime rate of 118 per 100,000 is roughly 60% lower than the national average of about 380 per 100,000 and well below the Iowa state average of approximately 280 per 100,000. The property crime rate of 515.3 per 100,000 is slightly below the national average of 1,954 per 100,000 but comparable to other Des Moines suburbs like West Des Moines (around 500 per 100,000) and Clive (around 450 per 100,000). However, because Urbandale is part of the larger Polk County metro area, it is subject to the broader criminal justice environment of the region. Polk County’s elected district attorney and judges have, in recent years, adopted progressive policies such as diversion programs for property offenders and reduced sentences for nonviolent crimes. While these policies aim to reduce incarceration, critics argue they can lead to higher recidivism and more property crime in suburban communities like Urbandale, as offenders may be released back into the area more quickly.
What residents experience
Most Urbandale residents report feeling safe walking in their neighborhoods and using local parks, especially during daylight hours. The city’s police department maintains a visible presence and responds quickly to calls. However, property crime—particularly theft from unlocked vehicles and package theft—is the most common concern. Vehicle break-ins account for roughly 40% of all property crime incidents in the city, often occurring overnight in driveways or apartment parking lots. Violent crime is rare and typically involves domestic disputes or isolated incidents rather than random attacks. Residents should note that the progressive justice policies in Polk County mean that even repeat property offenders may face limited jail time, which can frustrate victims and reduce deterrence.
Neighborhood-level variation
Safety varies modestly across Urbandale’s neighborhoods. The area around Merle Hay Road and the interstate corridors sees slightly higher property crime due to commercial activity and easier access for thieves. The western residential neighborhoods near 86th Street and the southern areas around Douglas Avenue tend to have the lowest crime rates, with violent crime virtually absent. The northern sections near the border with Johnston are also generally safe, though some apartment complexes near Northwest Urbandale Drive report occasional thefts. Overall, Urbandale is a low-crime suburb, but residents should take standard precautions—locking vehicles, securing packages, and staying aware of the broader metro area’s criminal justice trends.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-30T03:45:58.000Z
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