Studio Apartment Rent in Urbandale, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Urbandale, Iowa as of July 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $1,197 and +19% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Urbandale
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Urbandale
Compare Urbandale's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $640 |
| 2 | Marion | $640 |
| 3 | Waterloo | $663 |
| 4 | Fort Dodge | $670 |
| 5 | Davenport | $698 |
| 6 | Marshalltown | $700 |
| 7 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 8 | Newton | $710 |
| 9 | Boone | $720 |
| 10 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 11 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 12 | Burlington | $750 |
| 13 | Pella | $760 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
| 15 | Coralville | $790 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | Urbandale (this page) | $1,045 |
| 5 | West Des Moines | $1,040 |
| 6 | Altoona | $1,010 |
| 7 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 9 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 10 | Ames | $935 |
| 11 | Grimes | $930 |
| 12 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 13 | Tiffin | $870 |
| 14 | Council Bluffs | $865 |
| 15 | Iowa City | $853 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Urbandale.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Urbandale |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines, IA | 4.7 mi | $1,040 | $-5 (0%) |
| Johnston, IA | 5.5 mi | $1,110 | +$65 (+6%) |
| Grimes, IA | 5.6 mi | $930 | $-115 (-11%) |
| Waukee, IA | 8 mi | $1,090 | +$45 (+4%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 9.1 mi | $909 | $-136 (-13%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 12.7 mi | $990 | $-55 (-5%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 13.2 mi | $1,135 | +$90 (+9%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 19.3 mi | $1,000 | $-45 (-4%) |
| Altoona, IA | 21 mi | $1,010 | $-35 (-3%) |
| Indianola, IA | 23.8 mi | $830 | $-215 (-21%) |
| Ames, IA | 29.4 mi | $935 | $-110 (-11%) |
| Boone, IA | 32.2 mi | $720 | $-325 (-31%) |
Studio rent in Urbandale — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Urbandale?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Urbandale, Iowa is $1,045 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $1,197.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Urbandale?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $41,800 ($3,483/month gross), which works out to roughly $20.10/hour at a full-time job.
Is Urbandale expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Urbandale's studio median of $1,045 is +19% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 31th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Urbandale rank for studio rent in Iowa?
Among the 32 cities in Iowa with studio data, Urbandale ranks #29 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Urbandale?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include West Des Moines ($1,040), Grimes ($930), Des Moines ($909).