Cost of Living in Urbandale, IA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $901 (excluding rent), and $2,391 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,024 (excluding rent), and $4,516 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.72 $14.72

$49.05 $49.05

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.9 $50.9

$122 $122

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.93 $9.93

$12.93 $12.93

Cappuccino

$5.02 $5.02

$2.56 $2.56

$7.67 $7.67

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.24 $1.24

$3.04 $3.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.98 $0.98

$3.04 $3.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.1 $4.1

$8.21 $8.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 $7.18

$6.15 $6.15

$8.9 $8.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.64 $0.64

$1.42 $1.42

White Bread (500g)

$3.2 $3.2

$2.64 $2.64

$6.41 $6.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.02 $4.02

$2.07 $2.07

$7.86 $7.86

Eggs

$2.05 $2.05

$1.96 $1.96

$5.18 $5.18

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.18 $14.18

$8.99 $8.99

$26.98 $26.98

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.63 $10.63

$5.54 $5.54

$18.15 $18.15

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.86 $12.86

$9.2 $9.2

$17.2 $17.2

Apples (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$1.53 $1.53

$5.47 $5.47

Banana (1kg)

$1.5 $1.5

$0.65 $0.65

$2.23 $2.23

Oranges (1kg)

$3.57 $3.57

$2.24 $2.24

$11.21 $11.21

Tomato (1kg)

$3.33 $3.33

$7.66 $7.66

Potato (1kg)

$3.42 $3.42

$1.61 $1.61

$6 $6

Onion (1kg)

$3.74 $3.74

$2.7 $2.7

$4.91 $4.91

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.94 $1.94

$3.08 $3.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.84 $1.84

$4.61 $4.61

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.09 $7.09

$6.56 $6.56

$11.92 $11.92

Wine (Bottle)

$12.13 $12.13

$9.62 $9.62

$28.08 $28.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.78 $1.78

$2.95 $2.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.9 $1.9

$1.57 $1.57

$7.91 $7.91

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

$1.22 $1.22

$1.96 $1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.5 $64.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.47 $2.47

$0.99 $0.99

$4.93 $4.93

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.28 $1.28

$3.06 $3.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.38 $21.38

$20.36 $20.36

$22.39 $22.39

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.76 $0.76

$0.68 $0.68

$0.82 $0.82

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.2K $36.2K

$34.8K $34.8K

$37.3K $37.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.5K $25.5K

$25.2K $25.2K

$26.5K $26.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$139 $139

$404 $404

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$14.87 $14.87

$99.1 $99.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.33 $25.33

$60.8 $60.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.85 $43.85

$17.85 $17.85

$51 $51

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.07 $20.07

Cinema Ticket

$14.96 $14.96

$13.96 $13.96

$15.95 $15.95

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,405 $1,405

$1,082 $1,082

$2,078 $2,078

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.3K $29.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.3 $53.3

$30.18 $30.18

$80.5 $80.5

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.06 $22.06

$85.3 $85.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.45 $44.45

$123 $123

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.3 $74.3

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,626 $1,626

$1,218 $1,218

$1,885 $1,885

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,333 $1,333

$985 $985

$1,477 $1,477

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,608 $2,608

$1,983 $1,983

$2,975 $2,975

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,193 $2,193

$1,678 $1,678

$2,467 $2,467

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,685 $2,685

$1,970 $1,970

$2,685 $2,685

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,411 $2,411

$1,969 $1,969

$2,411 $2,411

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,565 $3,565

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

6.19

7.65

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Urbandale, IA - Frequently Asked Questions

Urbandale offers a balanced feel for affordability, especially when you compare local housing and everyday services to bigger metro centers. You’ll notice calmer streets, tidy amenities, and practical shopping nearby, which helps travelers, expats, and digital nomads keep costs predictable without sacrificing convenience. Overall, it trades some metropolitan buzz for steadier prices and a smaller footprint, making it a sensible option for longer stays or short bursts with easy access to Des Moines. Cost of Living in Urbandale, IA, United States serves as a handy benchmark for planning your visit or relocation. Tip: Map out two or three neighborhoods that balance quiet streets with easy transit access to your daily needs.

Daily life in Urbandale centers on practical routines and accessible services. Housing options cluster in family-friendly neighborhoods with parks and schools nearby, plus rental opportunities near shopping plazas. Food options range from local markets to familiar chains, making budget-conscious meals straightforward. Transportation is flexible: many people drive, but you’ll also find bus routes and bike-friendly streets that help you cut costs. Co-working spaces, cafes, and libraries offer reliable work nooks for remote work days. Urbandale living cost can guide your neighborhood choice and help you time your errands to avoid peak traffic. Tip: Build a flexible weekly plan around grocery runs, workout breaks, and occasional outings.

Urbandale offers a calm, family-friendly vibe with accessible services and parks that support an active lifestyle. A simple budgeting approach helps: start with housing as your anchor, then layer in groceries, transit or parking, and occasional dining and entertainment. In seasonal terms, prepare for cold winters with layered clothing and energy-conscious habits, while summers invite outdoor activity and lighter routines. Neighborhood fit matters: look for areas with easy access to trails, grocery stores, and quick drives to Des Moines for occasional events. Community calendars and local coworking hubs can boost social life and productivity without a big price tag. Tip: Track monthly basics and adjust your plan as your work or travel rhythm changes.