Clinton, IA vs Urbandale, IA

The cost of living difference between Clinton, IA and Urbandale, IA is dramatic. Clinton is 32.1% cheaper than Urbandale, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Clinton has a cost index of 64 while Urbandale sits at 94, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Clinton is $751/month compared to $1,176/month in Urbandale — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clinton is more affordable at $115,400 median vs $318,800.

Median household income in Clinton is $57,493 compared to $113,086 in Urbandale (-49.2%). While Urbandale is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Clinton spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, more than the 12.5% in Urbandale.