Studio Apartment Rent in Urbandale, IA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Urbandale, Iowa as of October 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $1,038 and +41% 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 | Dubuque | $710 |
| 7 | Newton | $710 |
| 8 | Boone | $720 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | $720 |
| 10 | Sioux City | $740 |
| 11 | Burlington | $750 |
| 12 | Le Claire | $760 |
| 13 | Pella | $760 |
| 14 | Urbandale (this page) | $765 |
| 15 | Cedar Falls | $770 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Iowa
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankeny | $1,135 |
| 2 | Johnston | $1,110 |
| 3 | Waukee | $1,090 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $1,040 |
| 5 | Altoona | $1,010 |
| 6 | Pleasant Hill | $1,000 |
| 7 | Norwalk | $990 |
| 8 | North Liberty | $950 |
| 9 | Ames | $935 |
| 10 | Grimes | $930 |
| 11 | Des Moines | $909 |
| 12 | Tiffin | $870 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $865 |
| 14 | Iowa City | $853 |
| 15 | Indianola | $830 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Urbandale.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Urbandale |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines, IA | 4.7 mi | $1,040 | +$275 (+36%) |
| Johnston, IA | 5.5 mi | $1,110 | +$345 (+45%) |
| Grimes, IA | 5.6 mi | $930 | +$165 (+22%) |
| Waukee, IA | 8 mi | $1,090 | +$325 (+42%) |
| Des Moines, IA | 9.1 mi | $909 | +$144 (+19%) |
| Norwalk, IA | 12.7 mi | $990 | +$225 (+29%) |
| Ankeny, IA | 13.2 mi | $1,135 | +$370 (+48%) |
| Pleasant Hill, IA | 19.3 mi | $1,000 | +$235 (+31%) |
| Altoona, IA | 21 mi | $1,010 | +$245 (+32%) |
| Indianola, IA | 23.8 mi | $830 | +$65 (+8%) |
| Ames, IA | 29.4 mi | $935 | +$170 (+22%) |
| Boone, IA | 32.2 mi | $720 | $-45 (-6%) |
Studio rent in Urbandale — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Urbandale?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Urbandale, Iowa is $765 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $1,038.
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 $30,600 ($2,550/month gross), which works out to roughly $14.71/hour at a full-time job.
Is Urbandale expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Urbandale's studio median of $765 is +41% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 7th 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 #14 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Urbandale?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Boone ($720).