Trying to choose between Johnston and Urbandale for your next move in the Des Moines metro? You are not alone. Both suburbs offer short commutes, strong community amenities, and a range of homes that fit different budgets and lifestyles. In this guide, you will compare commute patterns, schools, housing, taxes, parks, and near‑term growth to find your best fit. Let’s dive in.
Quick snapshot: Johnston vs Urbandale
Population size
- Johnston: about 24,200 residents.
- Urbandale: about 46,000 residents.
- These city sizes come from ACS-derived place profiles. You can explore Johnston’s profile for context on commute, income, and housing mix on DataUSA. See Johnston’s profile.
Median household income
- Johnston: roughly $103,000.
- Urbandale: roughly $113,000. These are broad indicators and vary by neighborhood.
Typical home values
- Johnston: many data vendors place typical or median values in the high $300,000s.
- Urbandale: often lands in the mid to upper $300,000s depending on the dataset.
- Vendor methods differ, so use recent solds in your target subdivision for precision.
Average one‑way commute
- Johnston: about 19 minutes.
- Urbandale: about 18.5 minutes.
- Both are below national averages, which supports easy metro access for most buyers.
Property tax context
- City levy examples only: Johnston lists $11.4379 per $1,000 of taxable value; Urbandale has reported about $10.08 per $1,000 in a recent recap. Review Johnston’s levy example and tax explainer. Your total property tax also includes county, school, and special districts.
Commute and getting around
Drive times and access
Most Johnston and Urbandale residents drive to work, and average one‑way commutes are under 20 minutes. Johnston neighborhoods run along the north and northwest corridors. Urbandale offers quick access to west‑metro routes and I‑35/80. If you want the shortest drive, aim for a subdivision that lines up with your daily route.
Transit options
DART serves Polk County, including Johnston and Urbandale. Coverage and frequency depend on the route, so check a specific address for service details. If transit matters to you, review current routes and schedules before you tour homes. Confirm DART options through the Iowa DOT transit page.
Projects to watch
Urbandale’s I‑35/80 and Hickman Road interchange is undergoing a major multi‑year reconstruction. Expect periodic delays during construction phases, with improved access in the long term. The city also highlights ongoing planning and development activity in its council recaps. See Urbandale’s council recap for project updates.
Schools and boundaries
Districts at a glance
- Johnston Community School District (JCSD) serves about 7,400 to 7,500 students districtwide. The district highlights technology-forward initiatives and has been recertified as an Apple Distinguished District. Read JCSD’s announcement.
- Urbandale Community School District (UCSD) serves a little over 4,100 students. Parts of Urbandale also fall within neighboring districts, including Johnston, Waukee, West Des Moines, Des Moines, and Dallas Center‑Grimes.
School performance varies by subject area and year. For neutral, data‑rich comparisons, use state assessment dashboards, district report cards, and NCES profiles. Start with the NCES district profile for boundary and enrollment context.
Address-by-address verification is key
In Urbandale, school assignment often depends on the exact parcel rather than the city name. Before you make an offer, verify the district and attendance area with the registrar or district boundary maps. If Johnston is on your list, you can start with the district’s registration hub for contact points and process details. Visit JCSD’s registration page.
Housing and neighborhoods
What you will find
- Johnston: Predominantly single‑family subdivisions, with many newer builds and several higher‑value pockets. You will also find some larger lots and acreage properties on the edges.
- Urbandale: A broader mix across the city, including mature, tree‑lined neighborhoods, active infill, multi‑family pockets, and newer subdivisions on the west side.
Homeownership rates are high in both cities, and the overall suburban pattern is similar. The main difference is the mix of ages and price points within each city’s neighborhoods.
Price ranges and market tone
- Johnston: Typical or median price measures often land around the high $300,000s, with higher‑end segments trading above that range.
- Urbandale: Depending on the data source and neighborhood, typical or median values commonly sit in the mid to upper $300,000s.
In mid‑2025, some market trackers labeled Urbandale as more seller‑leaning and Johnston as somewhat more buyer‑friendly. Month‑to‑month dynamics can change quickly. Pull the last 90 days of sold comps for the exact subdivision you want before you set expectations.
Taxes and ongoing costs
City levy is one piece of the puzzle
City levy examples show Johnston at $11.4379 per $1,000 of taxable value and Urbandale near $10.08 per $1,000 in a recent fiscal recap. These figures cover only the municipal portion. Your final bill also includes county, school district, community college, and other special districts. Review Johnston’s levy explainer and sample math to see how the city portion is calculated.
To estimate a specific property, use the Polk County assessor and treasurer tools. Enter the parcel, then apply the state rollback to the assessed value to determine taxable value. Multiply taxable value by the combined levy per $1,000 to estimate the annual bill. Search parcels on the Polk County assessor site.
How the calculation works
- Step 1: Find the assessed value for the parcel on the Polk County assessor site.
- Step 2: Apply the state residential rollback to get taxable value.
- Step 3: Add up the combined levies per $1,000 for all taxing authorities that apply to the parcel. The city levy is only one part.
- Step 4: Multiply taxable value by the combined levy, then divide by 1,000 to estimate annual property tax.
Because Urbandale spans multiple school districts, two homes with the same assessed value can have different tax bills. That is why parcel-level verification is essential before you compare homes across borders.
Sales tax context
Iowa’s state sales tax is 6 percent. Many Polk County ZIP codes apply a local surtax that brings the combined rate near 7 percent for common purchases and services. Always confirm the rate for your ZIP before budgeting. Check Iowa sales tax basics.
Parks, trails, and day‑to‑day lifestyle
Johnston highlights
Johnston’s park system features Terra Park, a 200-plus acre destination with a lake, trails, amphitheater, and recreation amenities. The city continues to invest in parks and programming, with projects that support year‑round outdoor activity. If you value large green spaces and easy trail access, this is a strong match. Explore Terra Park.
Urbandale highlights
Urbandale offers an extensive network of neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and regional trails. Walnut Creek Regional Park and Lions Park are two of many options that draw active residents. The city also invests in parks and community facilities each year. See Urbandale’s parks and facility info.
Growth and what is next
Urbandale development and infrastructure
City recaps point to ongoing downtown planning, steady west‑side residential growth, and a city‑led redevelopment of a former EconoLodge site into an affordable housing project. The I‑35/80 and Hickman interchange rebuild is a multi‑year effort that may slow traffic short term and improve access long term. These shifts can change neighborhood mix, housing options, and future demand near key corridors. Review Urbandale’s recap for updates.
Johnston investments
Johnston continues to highlight park enhancements and community programming, with Terra Park as a signature destination. City communications have also stressed accurate population counts due to funding formulas that use population as an input. These efforts signal a city focused on livability and planned growth. Read about Terra Park and city amenities.
Which suburb is right for you?
Choose Johnston if you want
- Newer single‑family subdivisions and several higher‑value neighborhoods.
- A district that highlights technology-forward programming and districtwide initiatives.
- Larger green spaces and lake‑trail access anchored by Terra Park.
Choose Urbandale if you want
- Quick west‑side access and central metro connectivity.
- A wider mix of neighborhoods, including mature areas, infill, and multi‑family options.
- Slightly lower entry points in some pockets and active redevelopment near key corridors.
A quick decision checklist
Use this 5‑step process before you tour:
- Verify taxes at the parcel level.
- Look up the property on the Polk County assessor site and apply the state rollback. Start your parcel search.
- Confirm school assignment by address.
- In Urbandale, boundaries cross districts. Contact the district registrar and review maps. If you are exploring Johnston, begin with JCSD’s registration hub.
- Check commute routes.
- Map your daily drive and note construction near I‑35/80 and Hickman. Urbandale’s council recap lists major projects. If you rely on transit, confirm DART options.
- Review city levy context.
- City rates differ and are only part of your total tax. Johnston’s levy page breaks down the math.
- Align lifestyle with parks and trails.
- If you want water‑trail access and a large regional park, Terra Park in Johnston stands out. If you prefer a broad set of neighborhood playgrounds and community shelters, Urbandale’s parks network is a great fit.
Ready to compare homes?
Both Johnston and Urbandale offer strong quality of life, short commutes, and distinct housing options. Your best choice comes down to your daily route, school needs, neighborhood feel, and total ownership cost. If you want help narrowing options by address, school boundary, or tax line‑items, reach out for local guidance tailored to your timeline and budget.
Have questions or want a curated list of homes in both cities? Connect with Tim & Miranda Lucken to compare neighborhoods side by side and map out next steps. Schedule your free Market-Ready Consultation.
FAQs
Which suburb has lower property taxes in Polk County?
- It depends on the parcel. City levies differ, but the total bill is driven by your combined levy across city, county, school, and special districts. Verify with the Polk County assessor and review Johnston’s levy explainer for how city portions are calculated.
How do school boundaries affect Urbandale addresses?
- Parts of Urbandale fall into several districts, including Urbandale CSD, Johnston, Waukee, West Des Moines, Des Moines, and Dallas Center‑Grimes. Confirm assignment with district registrars or NCES resources before you make an offer. Start with NCES.
What are typical home prices in Johnston and Urbandale?
- Vendor medians vary, but Johnston often trends in the high $300,000s, while Urbandale commonly sits in the mid to upper $300,000s. Always pull recent solds in your target subdivision for an up‑to‑date comparison.
How long is the average commute from Johnston and Urbandale?
- Both suburbs average under 20 minutes for one‑way commutes, which is below the national norm. This reflects a drive‑first metro with strong highway access. See ACS‑based context for Johnston.
What parks and trails stand out in each city?
- Johnston features Terra Park with a lake, trails, and amphitheater, plus broad green spaces. Urbandale offers a large network of neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and regional trails. Explore Terra Park and Urbandale’s park system.
What near‑term projects could impact home values?
- Urbandale’s I‑35/80 and Hickman interchange rebuild and downtown planning, along with redevelopment of a former EconoLodge site, may shift access and housing mix over the next few years. Track updates in the city’s recap.
