Urbandale vs West Des Moines
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 | Urbandale | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $355,748 | $326,596 |
| Value change, past year | +0.6% | +0.8% |
| Typical rent / mo | $1,197 | $1,369 |
| Homes for sale | 238 | 363 |
| Median days to pending | 18 days | 20 days |
| Listings with price cuts | 32% | 29% |
| Median household income | $112,795 | $86,594 |
| Homeownership | 78% | 57% |
| Population | 46,595 | 71,083 |
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
- West Des Moines is the more affordable of the two — typical home values run about 8% below Urbandale.
- 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 West Des Moines.
- Urbandale has the higher median household income of the two.
- West Des Moines is substantially larger than Urbandale — worth weighing if small-town feel is part of what you're after.
The character of each
Urbandale
Established, central, and well-connected — mature neighborhoods at a range of prices.
West Des Moines
The metro's retail and dining hub, with established and brand-new neighborhoods.
Schools
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.
West Des Moines: Primarily served by the West Des Moines Community School District, with parts in the Waukee and Clive areas attending neighboring districts. Confirm the exact attendance boundary for any specific address.
Getting around
Urbandale: Among the most central suburbs; direct I-35/80 access puts most of the metro within 15–20 minutes.
West Des Moines: Quick access to I-35/80 and the Jordan Creek Parkway corridor; roughly 15–20 minutes to downtown Des Moines outside of rush hour.
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.