Performance
Score Breakdown
Urbandale
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Urbandale is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% lower compared to Akron.
| Metric | Urbandale | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,021 | $1,123 | -9% |
| Groceries | $400 | $742 | -46% |
| Utilities | $141 | $234 | -40% |
| Transport | $125 | $357 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $1,837 | $2,586 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Akron delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Urbandale is estimated at
$40,840 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Urbandale | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,170 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,840 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,300 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $112,795 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Urbandale | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Urbandale has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Akron.
Urbandale scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Akron leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Urbandale | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Akron is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Urbandale.
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 | Urbandale | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,154 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Akron
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Akron is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with average monthly rent at $1,123 and median home prices around $153,000.
Akron has a diverse economy with strong industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and the polymer sector.
The city offers a public transportation system (METRO RTA) with affordable monthly passes at $50.
Healthcare costs in Akron are approximately 14% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Akron has a high crime rate, with an overall crime rate 50% above the national average and a safety grade of C-.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline of -0.9% annually.
Akron has a negative job growth rate, with a 0.461% decline in employed population in 2024.
The lifestyle in Akron is largely car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle and an average Walk Score of 48.
The median household income of $48,076 in 2024 is below the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Urbandale
#5Iowa, USA
78.0 / 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
Akron
#92Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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