Is Phoenix, AZ cheaper than Urbandale, IA?

Based on cost of living data, Phoenix, AZ is 18.6% more expensive than Urbandale, IA. This translates to spending an extra $1394 per month.

What salary do I need in Phoenix, AZ to live like I do in Urbandale, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Urbandale, IA, you'd need approximately $166,727.874 in Phoenix, AZ to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Urbandale, IA and Phoenix, AZ?

Housing in Phoenix, AZ is 54.1% more expensive than in Urbandale, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ compared to $1,093/month in Urbandale, IA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Urbandale, IA to Phoenix, AZ?

Living in Phoenix, AZ costs approximately $1394 more per month than Urbandale, IA, or $16728 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Urbandale, IA vs Phoenix, AZ: 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 Phoenix, AZ

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.7K in Phoenix, AZ

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

Overall Cost

↑ 18.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,394

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$16.7K

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

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:119

Median Home:$414K

Urbandale, IA

The Hawkeye State

47K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Fastest growing major city
•Desert metropolis
•Spring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Urbandale, IA vs Phoenix, AZ

Category	Urbandale, IA	Phoenix, AZ	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,809/mo	$2,788/mo	↑ $979more	54.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,202/mo	$1,489/mo	↑ $287more	23.9%
📦Other	$1,554/mo	$1,677/mo	↑ $123more	7.9%
⚡All Utilities	$462/mo	$561/mo	↑ $99.08more	21.4%
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$589/mo	↓ $81.58less	12.2%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$963/mo	↑ $69.11more	7.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 54.1%

Urbandale, IA

$1,809

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

Difference

$979

🚗Transportation

↑ 23.9%

Urbandale, IA

$1,202

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

Difference

$287

📦Other

↑ 7.9%

Urbandale, IA

$1,554

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

Difference

$123

⚡All Utilities

↑ 21.4%

Urbandale, IA

$462

Phoenix, AZ

$561

Difference

$99.08

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.2%

Urbandale, IA

$670

Phoenix, AZ

$589

Difference

$81.58

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 7.7%

Urbandale, IA

$894

Phoenix, AZ

$963

Difference

$69.11

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$879

To$1,390

↑ $511

1 Bed

From$921

To$1,510

↑ $589

2 Bed

From$1,093

To$1,750

↑ $657

3 Bed

From$1,488

To$2,330

↑ $842

Urbandale, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,120–$1,120/mo

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$2,380/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

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$1,476

Difference

Home Values

Urbandale

Phoenix

$284K

Median Value

$414K

↑ +2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +31.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +30.2%

$284K

Price Range

$274K - $957K

Homes in Phoenix are 46% more expensive than Urbandale

Calculate payment - Urbandale Calculate payment - Phoenix

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $5.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$456

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.6%

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

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

Additional Tax Information

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

💡 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

Phoenix

45 Good

Air Quality

77 Moderate

67.5%

Good Air Days

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

100 Very High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🔥🌊🌡

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.7°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

162 days

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

Where your money goes further

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Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ

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New Comparison

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Phoenix, AZ

Urbandale, IA

Phoenix, AZ

Urbandale, IA

Phoenix, AZ

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code39 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Urbandale, IA

Phoenix, AZ

Additional Tax Information

Urbandale, IA Tax Rates

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Phoenix, AZ