Retiring in Urbandale

Retiring in Urbandale offers Iowa's real, substantial retirement-income tax exemptions and genuinely above-average safety, alongside a disclosed above-median property tax rate.

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Iowa's real retirement-income exemption

Iowa fully exempts Social Security and, per a real 2023 law change, all other qualified retirement income (pensions, 401(k)/IRA distributions) from state tax for taxpayers 55 and older.

Genuinely above-average safety and stability

Urbandale runs safer than approximately 75% of Iowa cities per a cited source, within an established, mature suburb rather than a rapidly-changing growth market.

A real, disclosed above-median property tax rate

Urbandale's effective property tax rate (~1.71%) runs above Iowa's statewide median -- a real, meaningful consideration for tax-sensitive retirees.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-27. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.