Newton, IA vs Urbandale, IA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Newton is 25.7% cheaper than Urbandale. With a cost index of 70 vs 94, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Newton to Urbandale should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Newton is $828/month compared to $1,176/month in Urbandale — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Newton is more affordable at $151,600 median vs $318,800.

Median household income in Newton is $56,321 compared to $113,086 in Urbandale (-50.2%). 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 Newton spend roughly 17.6% of their income on rent, more than the 12.5% in Urbandale.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.5°F vs 50.9°F). Urbandale receives more rainfall at 36.6" per year compared to 36.6" in Newton.