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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

West Des Moines, IA vs Sioux City, IA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Sioux City spends 5.1% more per capita than West Des Moines ($797/person difference). Sioux City, IA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
West Des Moines, IA
Pop. 68,744
C
53/100
Budget Balance51
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency84
Revenue Diversity71
Trend Direction50
City B
Sioux City, IA
Pop. 85,469
B
75/100
Budget Balance53
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
West Des Moines
Sioux City
Total Spending
$1.0B
$1.3B
Spending / Capita
$14,779
$15,576
Total Revenue
$2.4B
$2.8B
Revenue / Capita
$35,361
$33,238
Total Debt
$140.9M
$0
Debt / Capita
$2,050
$0
Population
68,744
85,469
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
West Des Moines$240
Sioux City$19
Highways & Roads
West Des Moines$49
Sioux City$76
Parks & Recreation
West Des Moines$1,257
Sioux City$1,182
Education
West Des Moines$3
Sioux City$61
Health
West Des Moines$615
Sioux City$413

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

West Des MoinesSioux City
Property Tax
$24
$0
Sales Tax
$677
$237
Income Tax
$355
$681
Intergovernmental
$16,920
$2,787
Charges & Fees
$2,669
$2,603
Other
$3,239
$8,608

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

West Des MoinesSioux City
Fire Protection
$240
$19
Highways & Roads
$49
$76
Education
$3
$61
Public Welfare
$1,500
$1,359
Health
$615
$413
Hospitals
$290
$1,296
Parks & Recreation
$1,257
$1,182
Housing
$2,213
$2,881
Sewerage
$194
$285
Utilities
$669
$3,339
Other
$7,750
$4,665
C
West Des Moines, IA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health
B
Sioux City, IA
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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