Ankeny, IA vs Urbandale, IA

Ankeny, IA and Urbandale, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Ankeny scores 97 while Urbandale scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ankeny is $1,279/month compared to $1,176/month in Urbandale — a 9% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Urbandale has cheaper rent, Ankeny actually has lower median home values ($311,300 vs $318,800).

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $113,086 in Urbandale (-5.7%). Urbandale offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ankeny spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, more than the 12.5% in Urbandale.