City Comparison
Burlington vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Urbandale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Burlington.
| Metric | Burlington | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $975 | $1,021 | -5% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $141 | +28% |
| Transport | $120 | $125 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,925 | $1,837 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Urbandale offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Urbandale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burlington is estimated at
$64,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Burlington | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,716 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,995 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $59,000 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Burlington runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Burlington comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Burlington sees 20.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Burlington | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Burlington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Urbandale.
Urbandale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 41.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Urbandale is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Burlington.
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 | Burlington | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,207 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 2.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Burlington offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks, riverfront access, and trails.
The average commute time is short, at approximately 16 minutes.
The city's downtown area has undergone revitalization, offering a growing selection of restaurants and bars.
Year-over-year crime rates have shown a significant decrease, with overall crime down 21%.
Drawbacks
Burlington is experiencing a declining population, projected to decrease by -0.55% annually.
The city has a negative job growth rate, with employment declining from 2023 to 2024.
Overall crime rates are higher than both the state and national averages, with a safety grade of 'D'.
Public transportation options are minimal, leading to high car dependency.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the national average.
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.
Burlington
#153Iowa, USA
44.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$975
Avg Salary
$48,716
Cost Index
87
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
41.0/10
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
65
Business
45
Urbandale
#9Iowa, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,021
Avg Salary
$55,170
Cost Index
90
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
90
Business
75
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