Sioux City vs Philadelphia

Category / Metric	Sioux City	Philadelphia
Financial Overview
Median Income	$62,350	$60,302
Unemployment Rate	3.5%	4.7%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$218,000	$270,375
Price per SqFt	$134	$204
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$780	$1,451
Housing Cost Index	62.2	117.8
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	95.2	100.3
Gas Price (Gallon)	$3.40	$3.40
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	301.8	726.5
Bachelor's Degree+	18.9%	35.7%
Air Quality (AQI)	25	40

Philadelphia vs. Sioux City: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown

The Vibe Check

Let’s cut to the chase: this isn’t a fair fight. It’s a clash of titans from entirely different weight classes. Philadelphia is the gritty, historic, big-city heavyweight champ of the Northeast Corridor. Think Rocky, cheesesteaks, world-class museums, and a subway system that actually works. It’s a city of 1.5 million where you can grab a 2 a.m. slice of pizza and feel the electric hum of 300 years of history under your feet.

Sioux City, Iowa is the scrappy, no-nonsense underdog from the Midwest. It’s a city of 85,000 where the biggest stressor might be deciding which of the two local breweries to hit on a Friday night. It’s about community, space, and a pace of life so slow you can actually hear yourself think. You don’t live here to climb a corporate ladder; you live here because the commute is 12 minutes and your dollar stretches to the horizon.

Who are they for?

• Philadelphia is for the career-driven, the culture vultures, the foodies, and anyone who needs a city to feel alive. It’s for the young professional who wants big-city energy without the Manhattan price tag.
• Sioux City is for the budget-conscious, the families craving space and safety, the remote workers who want a low-stress base, and the retiree who wants their Social Security check to cover everything with cash to spare.

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The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Money Scream?

This is where the rubber meets the road. The numbers tell a story of two vastly different economic realities.

Cost of Living Table (Philadelphia vs. Sioux City):

Category	Philadelphia	Sioux City	The Difference
Median Home Price	$270,375	$218,000	Philly is 24% pricier.
Rent (1BR)	$1,451	$780	Philly is 86% more expensive.
Housing Index	117.8	62.2	Philly is nearly 90% above national avg.
Median Income	$60,302	$62,350	Sioux City edges out by $2,000.
Violent Crime Rate	726.5/100k	301.8/100k	Philly is 140% higher.

Salary Wars & Purchasing Power
Let’s do the math. If you earn $100,000 in Sioux City, you’re in the top tier. Your mortgage on a $218,000 home (with 20% down) would be around $1,100/month. That leaves you with a mountain of disposable income. You’d feel like royalty.

That same $100,000 in Philadelphia is solidly middle-class. After taxes (Philly has a city wage tax of about 3.8% on top of state and federal), your take-home is squeezed. A median home costs $270,375, but in desirable neighborhoods, you’re looking at $400k+. That same mortgage could be $1,500-$2,000/month, plus higher utility bills and the notorious Philly city wage tax. Your $100k here feels like $75k in purchasing power.

The Tax Squeeze
Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax, which is friendly. But Philadelphia’s city wage tax is a killer for the budget-conscious. Sioux City, Iowa, has a state income tax rate of 3.9% to 6.5% (graduated), but the lack of a city wage tax and the rock-bottom cost of living more than compensates. For pure dollar power, Sioux City wins in a landslide.

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The Housing Market: Buy, Rent, or Run?

Philadelphia:
The market is competitive and stratified. You can buy a rowhome in a gentrifying area for $250k, or a luxury condo in Center City for $800k. It’s a seller’s market in prime neighborhoods, with homes often going over asking price. Renting is the norm for young professionals, but the $1,451 rent for a 1BR is just the entry fee—parking, utilities, and broker fees add up quickly. The "Housing Index" of 117.8 confirms you’re paying a significant premium for location and amenities.

Sioux City:
This is a buyer’s dream. With a Housing Index of 62.2, homes are nearly 40% below the national average. You can buy a solid 3-bedroom, 2-bath home for $180k or less. The median price of $218,000 gets you something very respectable. Inventory exists, competition is low, and you don’t need to waive inspections. Rent is a laughable $780—that’s less than a single parking spot in many Philly neighborhoods. For anyone looking to build equity without a bidding war, Sioux City is a no-brainer.

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The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

Traffic & Commute

• Philadelphia: I-95 and the Schuylkill Expressway are infamous for gridlock. The average commute is 25-30 minutes, but it can be brutal. The SEPTA system is extensive and a lifesaver, but it’s aging and sometimes unreliable. Parking in the city is a nightmare and expensive.
• Sioux City: Traffic is a non-issue. The average commute is under 15 minutes. You can get anywhere in the city in 20 minutes flat. There’s no rush hour, and parking is free or cheap everywhere. It’s a massive quality-of-life win for Sioux City.

Weather

• Philadelphia: You get all four seasons, but they can be extreme. Summers are hot and humid (90°F+), winters can be bitterly cold with snow, and spring/fall are gorgeous but fleeting. The humidity is a real factor.
• Sioux City: Welcome to the plains. Winters are harsh and long, with temperatures frequently plunging below 20°F and heavy snow (28°F average temp). Summers are hot and humid. The weather is a serious dealbreaker for many. It’s flat, windy, and can feel isolating in the dead of winter.

Crime & Safety

• Philadelphia: The data is stark. With a violent crime rate of 726.5 per 100k, it’s more than double the national average. Safety varies wildly by neighborhood—from very safe to dangerous. You must do your homework. It’s a big-city reality you have to accept.
• Sioux City: At 301.8 per 100k, it’s still above the national average but significantly lower than Philly. It’s generally considered safe, especially in residential areas. The small-town vibe means people look out for each other. If safety is your top priority, Sioux City is the clear choice.

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The Final Verdict

There is no universal winner. This is a choice between urban grit and Midwestern calm. But based on data and lifestyle, we can crown champions for different life stages.

🏆 Winner for Families: Sioux City

• Why: Space, safety, and affordability. You can own a large home with a yard for less than the cost of a Philly apartment. The crime rate is lower, the schools are decent, and the slower pace is easier on kids. The weather is a con, but the financial freedom is a massive pro.

🏆 Winner for Singles/Young Pros: Philadelphia

• Why: Opportunity and energy. The median income is slightly lower, but the career networks, cultural scene, nightlife, and dating pool are infinitely larger. You trade square footage and safety for access to everything. It’s a place to hustle, learn, and experience a true metropolis.

🏆 Winner for Retirees: Sioux City

• Why: Dollar power. Your retirement savings will go 2-3 times further. The cost of living is so low that Social Security and pensions can provide a very comfortable lifestyle. The community is tight-knit, and the stress of big-city living vanishes. The harsh winter is the main caveat.

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Pros & Cons: At a Glance

Philadelphia

PROS:

• World-class museums, food, and history.
• Robust public transit (SEPTA).
• Major airport hub (PHL) for easy travel.
• Diverse neighborhoods with distinct characters.
• Strong job market in healthcare, finance, and tech.

CONS:

• High cost of living, especially housing.
• Significant violent crime (research neighborhoods carefully).
• City wage tax and high property taxes.
• Brutal traffic and congested highways.
• Humid summers and cold, snowy winters.

Sioux City

PROS:

• Incredible affordability (housing, rent, daily expenses).
• Very short commutes and easy parking.
• Lower violent crime rate vs. Philly.
• Strong sense of community and Midwestern hospitality.
• Cleaner air and less congestion.

CONS:

• Limited cultural amenities (no major museums, limited dining).
• Harsh, long winters with extreme cold and snow.
• Smaller job market with fewer career opportunities.
• Can feel isolated or "boring" for those seeking excitement.
• Less diversity compared to major coastal cities.

The Bottom Line

Choose Philadelphia if: You’re trading budget for experience. You crave the energy of a major city, want to be at the forefront of culture and career, and are willing to navigate higher costs and crime for the privilege. It’s a city that will challenge and reward you.

Choose Sioux City if: You’re prioritizing financial freedom and peace of mind. You want to own a home, build equity, and live comfortably on a modest income. It’s a place to escape the grind, raise a family without breaking the bank, or retire in comfort. It’s a city that offers stability and simplicity.

The data doesn’t lie: Sioux City is the financial champion, but Philadelphia is the lifestyle heavyweight. Your choice depends on whether your heart wants a skyline or a backyard.