property
Urbandale home values jump 14% while neighbors stall at single digits
Median home values in Urbandale climbed 14 percent over the past 12 months while nearby suburbs posted single-digit gains.
How we reported this
Urbandale recorded the highest year-over-year price growth among Des Moines suburbs tracked by the Polk County Assessor through June 2026, with the median sale price reaching $312,000.
The surge comes as buyers priced out of West Des Moines and Johnston turn to Urbandale for homes still under $350,000 within a 15-minute drive of downtown Des Moines. Mortgage rates have held near 6.25 percent since early spring, pushing demand toward areas with older stock that can be updated without crossing into higher tax brackets.
Local anchors driving buyer interest
Properties along Douglas Avenue and Hickman Road continue to draw commuters who work at the Greater Des Moines Partnership offices or attend events at the Iowa Events Center. The Urbandale Public Library expansion completed last fall added meeting rooms and study space that now host weekly neighborhood association sessions. Proximity to the Des Moines Art Center also factors into decisions for families who want weekend access without living inside the city limits.
Real estate agents report multiple offers on three-bedroom ranches listed near 70th Street within 48 hours of hitting the market. The pattern mirrors what happened in Clive two years earlier but at price points roughly $80,000 lower.
Numbers that separate Urbandale from the pack
Polk County records show 187 single-family homes closed in Urbandale between January and June 2026, up 22 percent from the same period in 2025. Average days on market fell to 19, compared with 31 in Bondurant and 27 in Pleasant Hill. The suburb’s property tax levy remains 1.8 percent lower than Johnston’s after the most recent reassessment cycle.
Buyers should check the county assessor website for the latest comparable sales before making offers and schedule inspections early, especially on homes built between 1965 and 1985 that line the southern edge of the suburb.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.