Grimes vs Urbandale
A side-by-side look at two Des Moines metro areas buyers often weigh against each other — current values, rents, market pace, and demographics.
Side by side
| Metric | Grimes | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $351,743 | $355,748 |
| Value change, past year | -0.4% | +0.6% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,435 | $1,197 |
| Homes for sale | 94 | 238 |
| Median days to pending | 23 days | 18 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 25% | 32% |
| Median household income | $120,037 | $112,795 |
| Homeownership | 71% | 78% |
| Population | 16,366 | 46,595 |
Home value, rent & market activity: Zillow Research (2026-08). Income & demographics: U.S. Census ACS (5-year). Cheaper figure highlighted where the two differ.
What the numbers say
- Typical home values are within a few percent of each other, so price alone is unlikely to decide this one.
- Renting is cheaper in Urbandale, which matters if you plan to rent for a year before buying.
- Homes go under contract faster in Urbandale, so expect to move quicker there and to have a bit more room to negotiate in Grimes.
- Urbandale is substantially larger than Grimes — worth weighing if small-town feel is part of what you're after.
The character of each
Grimes
Fast-growing northwest suburb with heavy new construction and small-town roots.
Urbandale
Established, central, and well-connected — mature neighborhoods at a range of prices.
Schools
Grimes: Primarily the Dallas Center–Grimes Community School District, with some areas in Johnston or Woodward–Granger. Boundaries move with growth — verify by address.
Urbandale: Largely served by the Urbandale Community School District, with portions in the Johnston and Des Moines districts depending on location — always confirm by address.
Getting around
Grimes: Northwest metro via Highway 141 and I-35/80; roughly 20–25 minutes to downtown depending on the route.
Urbandale: Among the most central suburbs; direct I-35/80 access puts most of the metro within 15–20 minutes.
Figures are area-wide typicals, not a valuation of any specific home. Verify school boundaries, property taxes, and current prices by address. Not real-estate or financial advice.