In this study, we used a previously well-validated survey to assess the impact of different forms of urinary diversion on overall quality of life in patients with bladder cancer. A total of 92 patients, having three different forms of urinary diversion after radical cystectomy, completed by mail the SF-36, a validated quality-of-life survey. All patients had local/regional disease at the time of cystectomy and are currently without evidence of disease. Completed surveys were then analyzed into physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component quality-of-life scores per published protocols. Results were then compared with published age-based norms. A total of 38 men who had cystectomy and ileal neobladder had a mean PCS (+/- SD) of 48.4 (7.8) and a mean MCS of 51.0 (7.4); 16 men and women who had cystectomy and Indiana Pouch had a mean PCS of 48.4 (8.9) and a mean MCS of 55.7 (3.8). None of these results is statistically different from published age- and sex-based population norms. Thirty-eight men who had cystectomy and ileal conduit had a mean PCS of 41.4 (8.5) and a mean MCS of 48.2 (10.7). The PCS is not statistically different from the population-based norm; however, the MCS is significantly decreased from the published norm (P = .01). Patients with ileal conduits have significantly decreased mental health quality of life whereas patients with continent urinary diversions do not. Therefore, when not medically contraindicated, patients should be offered a continent diversion as the diversion of choice after cystectomy.