For one person, living costs in Urbandale, IA are estimated at $2,310 a month, including rent and utilities – 15% below the national average. Rent and utilities take almost two thirds of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Urbandale, IA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $2,310 monthly including rent, or $880 excluding housing.
$2,310 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,374 with rent, or $1,507 without housing.
$3,374 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,437 including rent, or $2,134 for daily expenses alone.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6K$34.6K
$27.7K$27.7K
$36.7K$36.7K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K$25.6K
$24.4K$24.4K
$27.1K$27.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$140$140
$140$140
$299$299
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.79$14.79
$14.79$14.79
$98.6$98.6
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.01$25.01
$25.01$25.01
$100$100
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.57$35.57
$17.08$17.08
$42.69$42.69
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.34$20.34
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.81$14.81
$11.85$11.85
$17.78$17.78
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,164$1,164
$689$689
$1,840$1,840
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$20.7K$20.7K
$11.8K$11.8K
$29.0K$29.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.3$61.3
$50.5$50.5
$80.9$80.9
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.96$21.96
$21.96$21.96
$49.93$49.93
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$45.54$45.54
$45.54$45.54
$131$131
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.1$75.1
$75.1$75.1
$200$200
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$933$933
$871$871
$995$995
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,290$1,290
$993$993
$1,489$1,489
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,237$1,237
$1,034$1,034
$1,439$1,439
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,164$2,164
$1,610$1,610
$2,516$2,516
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,777$2,777
$2,041$2,041
$2,777$2,777
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,710$2,710
$2,119$2,119
$2,710$2,710
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,637$3,637
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.56
6
7.65
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 19, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Urbandale, IA$2,310
Urbandale, IA$4,437
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.3K 55.9%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$342 14.8%
🍽Eating Out
$258 11.2%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$179 7.8%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$92 4%
🚌Getting Around
$83 3.6%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$65 2.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$2.2K 48.8%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$779 17.6%
🍽Eating Out
$776 17.5%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$194 4.4%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$204 4.6%
🚌Getting Around
$169 3.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$151 3.4%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $933 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,290 outside the center. At 26% of the average salary ($3,637), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $3,637, while typical expenses reach $2,310. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.
🛒Expect to spend about $342 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $51.0 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $66.0 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐Internet is cheaper than 98% of cities in North America
⭐Eggs is cheaper than 96% of cities in North America
⭐Imported beer is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Urbandale, IA - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Urbandale a good value overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare with nearby options?
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.
How does daily life unfold in Urbandale, including housing options, food choices, getting around, and places to work?
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.
What budgeting framework and neighborhood considerations help you maximize quality of life in Urbandale across seasons?
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.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Urbandale, IA?
With 26% of the average paycheck going to rent, Urbandale, IA is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What is the average cost of living in Urbandale, IA?
A single person in Urbandale, IA typically spends $2,310 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $880. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is a good salary in Urbandale, IA?
Earning $3,465 monthly in Urbandale, IA means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Urbandale, IA?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Urbandale, IA range from $1,290 to $933, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How expensive is a gym membership in Urbandale, IA?
A regular gym membership in Urbandale, IA costs around $35.57 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Urbandale, IA?
Expect to spend around $342 per month on groceries in Urbandale, IA. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Urbandale, IA?
Living on $2,000 in Urbandale, IA means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,310. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Urbandale, IA a good city for digital nomads?
Remote workers pick Urbandale, IA for good reason: fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, all at about $2,310 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.
Urbandale, IA vs other spots: cost of living compared