Johnston 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 | Johnston | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $403,139 | $355,748 |
| Value change, past year | +0.6% | +0.6% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,382 | $1,197 |
| Homes for sale | 125 | 238 |
| Median days to pending | 19 days | 18 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 24% | 32% |
| Median household income | $106,551 | $112,795 |
| Homeownership | 71% | 78% |
| Population | 24,384 | 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
- Urbandale is the more affordable of the two — typical home values run about 12% below Johnston.
- 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 Johnston.
- Urbandale is substantially larger than Johnston — worth weighing if small-town feel is part of what you're after.
The character of each
Johnston
Quiet, established, and anchored by a well-regarded school district near Saylorville Lake.
Urbandale
Established, central, and well-connected — mature neighborhoods at a range of prices.
Schools
Johnston: Primarily the Johnston Community School District, which is a significant part of the area's appeal to families. Edges of the city fall into neighboring districts — 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
Johnston: Northwest metro with access via I-35/80 and Merle Hay Road; roughly 15–20 minutes to downtown outside of peak.
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.