Salary & Cost of Living in Urbandale, IA
Urbandale, IA: $50,146 median salary, cost of living index 90, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$50,146
$24/hr
Cost of Living
90
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.8%
rate
Urbandale, IA Overview
Population
45,580
Median Salary
$50,146
Average Salary
$56,164
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$177,000
Median Rent
$731/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
6%
Urbandale is located in Iowa with a population of 45,580. The median household salary is $50,146 per year ($24/hour), which is $9,238 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Urbandale Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Urbandale, IA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,146 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $31,091 | $14.95/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,146 | $24.11/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $71,207 | $34.24/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $89,260 | $42.92/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Urbandale Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Urbandale, IA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$39,472
$3,289.37/month · $1,518.17/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.3%
Gross Pay
$50,146
Federal Tax
-$3,979
State Tax
-$2,858
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,836
Net Pay
$39,472
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,178.83 | $50,146.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$331.59 | -$3,979.02 |
| Iowa State Tax (5.7%) | -$238.19 | -$2,858.32 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$259.09 | -$3,109.05 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$60.59 | -$727.12 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,289.37 | $39,472.49 |
Salary Comparison: Urbandale vs Other Cities
See how Urbandale's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urbandale, IA | $50,146 | 90 | $55,718 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Palm Coast, FL | $50,141 | 99.4 | $50,444 |
| Keizer, OR | $50,136 | 103.6 | $48,394 |
| Tucson, AZ | $50,200 | 96 | $52,292 |
| Summerlin South, NV | $50,201 | 101.6 | $49,410 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Urbandale
Urbandale's cost of living index is 90 (national average = 100). Living in Urbandale is 10% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$177,000
Median Monthly Rent
$731
Annual Rent Cost
$8,772
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $39,472 annual take-home pay in Urbandale has the purchasing power of approximately $43,858 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,146 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Urbandale
Urbandale's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,146.
Salary Tips for Urbandale Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.7% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Urbandale's top industries include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,146 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Urbandale salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Urbandale-IA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Urbandale indexed at 90.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Urbandale's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,146 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Iowa state income tax (5.7%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Urbandale: 2.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Iowa.
- Housing context: median home price $177,000, median rent $731/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Urbandale, IA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Urbandale unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Urbandale QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Iowa — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Urbandale's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Iowa labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Urbandale, IA?
The median salary in Urbandale, IA is $50,146 per year, or $24 per hour. The average salary is $56,164. This is $9,238 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Urbandale, IA?
Urbandale's cost of living index is 90 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $177,000 and the median monthly rent is $731.
What are the best industries in Urbandale?
The top industries in Urbandale, IA include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 2.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,146.
How does Urbandale's salary compare to other cities?
Urbandale's median salary of $50,146 is 15.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 90), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,718.
What is the minimum wage in Urbandale, IA?
The minimum wage in Urbandale, IA is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.