If you are trying to decide where to land in the Des Moines metro, Urbandale probably keeps showing up for good reason. It offers a suburban feel, strong commuter access, and a lifestyle built around parks, trails, and everyday convenience. If you want to know whether that mix fits your budget, routine, and home goals, this guide will help you sort it out. Let’s dive in.
Why buyers consider Urbandale
Urbandale sits in the northwest part of the Des Moines metro at the intersections of Interstate 35, Interstate 80, and Iowa Highway 141. City information notes that it has the most access points to I-35/80 in the metro, which makes it a practical choice if your day-to-day routine involves getting around the region efficiently.
That location shapes a lot of what living here feels like. Urbandale tends to appeal to buyers who want suburban living with easy movement around the metro, rather than a dense, highly walkable downtown setting. If convenience and flexibility matter to you, that can be a major plus.
The city’s estimated population is 48,570, and the owner-occupied housing rate is 78.1%. That points to a community with a strong homeownership base and a largely residential character.
What daily life feels like
For many buyers, fit comes down to more than the house itself. You are also choosing how easy it is to run errands, enjoy your free time, and move between work, home, and the rest of the metro.
Urbandale works well as a home base. You get local dining and neighborhood-level convenience, plus straightforward access to the broader Des Moines area when you want more options.
Commuting and getting around
If your schedule includes regular travel across the metro, Urbandale’s road access stands out. The city’s connection to I-35, I-80, and Highway 141 supports easier commuting patterns for many households.
The city’s comprehensive plan also highlights access and mobility improvements in areas like Douglas Avenue/Parkway, Northpark/Plum Drive, and Downtown Urbandale. That tells you the city is actively thinking about how people move through key corridors.
Dining and everyday convenience
Urbandale’s dining scene leans practical, casual, and easy to enjoy. Regional tourism information highlights spots like The Machine Shed, 5 Borough Bagels, Range Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, The Beerhouse, Chicken Coop, Tito’s Lounge, and Coaches Kolaches.
That mix suggests a suburb with recognizable neighborhood favorites rather than a concentrated late-night restaurant district. For many buyers, that is exactly the right balance. You have solid everyday options nearby and can still reach a wider metro mix without much hassle.
Parks and trails are a real strength
One of Urbandale’s clearest lifestyle advantages is its park and trail system. The city reports 55+ parks, 50+ miles of trails, and 1,000 acres of parkland.
That is not just nice on paper. The comprehensive plan notes that the trail network helps connect neighborhoods to employment nodes and commercial services, which means the trail system supports both recreation and daily convenience.
Recreation for many routines
If you like having room to move, Urbandale gives you options. Whether you enjoy walking, biking, playground time, casual sports, or simply getting outside, the city’s amenities can support a wide range of routines.
Walker Johnston Park is a good example of that variety. It includes baseball and softball diamonds, soccer, tennis, pickleball, fishing, playgrounds, picnic areas, public art, a pond, restrooms, and trails.
Community events add to the appeal
Urbandale also offers active seasonal programming. City event pages show recurring offerings such as Storytime in the Park, the Summer Concert Series, Mobile Recreation, and summer library programming.
The city’s Fourth of July celebration is promoted as one of the largest in the area, with a parade, carnival, live music, kids’ activities, and fireworks. In winter, Miracle on 86th Street brings more than 100,000 holiday lights along with ice skating and family events.
If community programming matters to you, this can be a meaningful part of the lifestyle. It gives you more ways to enjoy where you live beyond your front door.
Urbandale housing options
Urbandale is not a one-note housing market. The city’s comprehensive plan calls for reinvestment in maturing neighborhoods while also guiding new amenity-rich neighborhoods with a greater variety of housing options.
That includes support for context-sensitive infill, single-family attached housing, and multifamily development, while also preserving the character of single-family neighborhoods. For buyers, that means your options may include older single-family homes, newer neighborhoods, attached homes, and multifamily choices depending on your goals.
What prices look like
If you are budgeting for a move to Urbandale, the cleanest takeaway is that much of the market sits in the mid-$300,000s. Different data sources vary slightly, but they point to a similar range.
Census QuickFacts reports a median value of owner-occupied housing units of $335,500. Zillow reports an average home value of $355,487 and a median sale price of $327,833, while Redfin reports a median sale price of $350,419 over the last three months.
You should expect price, condition, lot size, age, and location within the city to affect what your budget can buy. Still, the broad mid-$300,000s range gives you a practical starting point for comparison.
Who Urbandale may fit best
Urbandale can be a strong match if you want a suburb that supports daily ease. It tends to work especially well for buyers who value commuter flexibility, a strong park system, and a residential setting with a solid ownership base.
It may be worth a closer look if you are searching for:
- Direct access to major highways
- A suburban environment instead of a dense urban core
- Frequent use of trails, parks, and recreation amenities
- Neighborhood-level dining and everyday convenience
- Housing choices that may range from established areas to newer development
Questions to ask yourself before moving to Urbandale
The right fit depends on your routine as much as your wish list. Before you decide, it helps to compare Urbandale to other Des Moines metro suburbs through the lens of how you actually live.
Ask yourself:
- Do you want quick access to I-35/80 for commuting or regular metro travel?
- Will parks, trails, and city programming play a real role in your lifestyle?
- Does a mid-$300,000s housing environment fit your current budget and goals?
- Do you prefer casual local dining with easy metro access, rather than a more urban restaurant scene?
- Are you looking for an older single-family home, a newer neighborhood, an attached home, or another housing style?
Those answers can help clarify whether Urbandale is simply a good option or truly the right one for your next move.
The bottom line on Urbandale
Urbandale stands out for suburban convenience, strong highway access, a well-developed park and trail system, and housing that generally falls in the mid-$300,000s. It offers a practical, livable balance that appeals to many buyers across the Des Moines metro.
If your priorities include mobility, outdoor amenities, and a residential feel with access to the wider metro, Urbandale may be a strong fit. And if you want help narrowing down which part of Urbandale matches your budget, commute, and home style, Megan Mitchum + CO - 515 Realtor can help you make a confident move.
FAQs
Is Urbandale a good place for commuting in the Des Moines metro?
- Yes. Urbandale sits at the intersections of Interstate 35, Interstate 80, and Iowa Highway 141, and city information says it has the most access points to I-35/80 in the metro.
What is the housing market like in Urbandale, Iowa?
- Urbandale offers a mix of housing types, and current pricing signals generally place much of the market in the mid-$300,000s.
Does Urbandale offer parks and trails for everyday use?
- Yes. The city reports 55+ parks, 50+ miles of trails, and 1,000 acres of parkland, with trail connections that support both recreation and convenience.
What kind of lifestyle does Urbandale offer homebuyers?
- Urbandale offers a suburban lifestyle with a strong homeownership base, casual dining, community events, and easy access to the broader Des Moines metro.
Are there different types of homes available in Urbandale?
- Yes. The city’s planning framework supports reinvestment in established neighborhoods along with newer housing options that include single-family attached and multifamily development.
