Fort Dodge, IA vs Urbandale, IA

The cost of living difference between Fort Dodge, IA and Urbandale, IA is dramatic. Fort Dodge is 30.5% cheaper than Urbandale, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Dodge has a cost index of 66 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 Fort Dodge is $764/month compared to $1,176/month in Urbandale — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Dodge is more affordable at $128,900 median vs $318,800.

Median household income in Fort Dodge is $61,769 compared to $113,086 in Urbandale (-45.4%). 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 Fort Dodge spend roughly 14.8% of their income on rent, more than the 12.5% in Urbandale.