City Comparison
Sioux City vs Urbandale
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Urbandale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sioux City
Urbandale
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Sioux City | Urbandale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,021 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $141 | +24% |
| Transport | $110 | $125 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $1,837 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sioux City offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sioux City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sioux City is estimated at
$45,000 vs $40,840 in Urbandale.
| Metric | Sioux City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $55,170 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $40,840 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,636 idx | 61,300 idx |
| Household Income | $62,500 | $112,795 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sioux City runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sioux City comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sioux City sees 21.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sioux City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Sioux City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sioux City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sioux City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sioux City is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Urbandale.
From a growth perspective, Urbandale is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Urbandale has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sioux City | Urbandale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,797 | 49,154 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sioux City
Advantages
Median home prices in Sioux City are significantly lower than the national average per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Average commute times are under 18 minutes, well below the U.S. national average per BLS data.
A thriving healthcare sector anchored by MercyOne and UnityPoint Health provides robust medical services.
Abundant outdoor recreation including over 50 public parks and extensive Missouri River trail systems.
Strong local higher education institutions like Morningside University and Briar Cliff University.
Drawbacks
Winter temperatures can be harsh, with average winter lows dropping to 13.8°F per Open-Meteo climate data.
Limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Average household incomes trail behind top-tier national metropolitan benchmarks.
Limited direct commercial air travel options at Sioux Gateway Airport necessitate driving to larger hubs like Omaha.
Pockets of the urban core face ongoing economic revitalization and property crime challenges.
Urbandale
Advantages
Urbandale boasts a very low crime rate, being 66% lower than the national average, making it one of Iowa's safest sizeable cities.
The cost of living in Urbandale is 10% lower than the national average, with housing and utility expenses being particularly affordable.
The city offers a high quality of life, supported by numerous parks, extensive trail systems, and a strong sense of community.
Urbandale has a thriving economy with a 2.25% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, driven by strong sectors like Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
Public schools accessible to Urbandale residents generally perform above the state average, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Urbandale is largely car-dependent, with a low Walk Score of 32, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
While DART bus routes exist, the public transit system is not extensive, leading to a low Transit Score.
There are no major general hospitals located directly within Urbandale's city limits, requiring residents to travel to nearby Des Moines for comprehensive hospital care.
The city's lifestyle, while safe and family-friendly, is sometimes described as lacking a vibrant nightlife or particularly exciting entertainment options.
Despite overall affordability, the median property value in Urbandale is slightly above the national average, which could be a barrier for some homebuyers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sioux City
#173Iowa, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
Urbandale
#11Iowa, USA
75.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,021
Avg Salary
$55,170
Cost Index
90
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
32.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
90
Business
75
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