Is Austin, TX cheaper than Urbandale, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 18.4% more expensive than Urbandale, IA. This translates to spending an extra $1377 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Urbandale, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Urbandale, IA, you'd need approximately $166,521.038 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Urbandale, IA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 59.4% more expensive than in Urbandale, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,093/month in Urbandale, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Urbandale, IA to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1377 more per month than Urbandale, IA, or $16521 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Urbandale, IA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Urbandale, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

Current salary in Urbandale, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.5K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA area

Overall Cost

↑ 18.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,377

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$16.5K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Urbandale, IA

Population:47K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$284K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:118

Median Home:$558K

Urbandale, IA

The Hawkeye State

47K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 47K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Urbandale, IA vs Austin, TX

Category	Urbandale, IA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,809/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $1,075more	59.4%
📦Other	$1,554/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $187more	12.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $82.07more	6.8%
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$589/mo	↓ $81.58less	12.2%
⚡All Utilities	$462/mo	$541/mo	↑ $78.87more	17.1%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$959/mo	↑ $65.12more	7.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 59.4%

Urbandale, IA

$1,809

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$1,075

📦Other

↑ 12.0%

Urbandale, IA

$1,554

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$187

🚗Transportation

↑ 6.8%

Urbandale, IA

$1,202

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$82.07

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.2%

Urbandale, IA

$670

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$81.58

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 17.1%

Urbandale, IA

$462

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$78.87

🛒Groceries

↑ 7.3%

Urbandale, IA

$894

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$65.12

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$879

To$1,585

↑ $706

1 Bed

From$921

To$1,685

↑ $764

2 Bed

From$1,093

To$1,995

↑ $902

3 Bed

From$1,488

To$2,525

↑ $1,037

Urbandale, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,120–$1,120/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,592

Monthly in Urbandale, IA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,407

Difference

Home Values

Urbandale

Austin

$284K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +31.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$284K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 97% more expensive than Urbandale

Calculate payment - Urbandale Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$892

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Urbandale, IA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Iowa State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.7K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.7K

Take-Home Pay

$8,524/month

$102.3K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Urbandale

Austin

45 Good

Air Quality

52 Moderate

67.5%

Good Air Days

42.6%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

98 High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Urbandale, IA on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Austin, TX

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Austin, TX

Urbandale, IA

Austin, TX

Urbandale, IA

Austin, TX

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code40 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Urbandale, IA

Austin, TX

Additional Tax Information

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Austin, TX