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Davenport vs Sioux City:
Housing Costs in Iowa

Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Davenport and Sioux City, Iowa. Using Iowa's 1.52% property tax rate and $1,800/year insurance. Updated for 2026.

MetricDavenportSioux City
Median Home Price$155K$165K
Population101,72485,797
Average Rent$880/mo$850/mo
Est. Monthly Mortgage (P&I)$882/mo$939/mo
Est. Monthly Property Tax$196/mo$209/mo
Est. Monthly Insurance$150/mo$150/mo
Est. Total PITI$1,286/mo$1,359/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio14.716.2
Verdict

Davenport edges out Sioux City in affordability, saving you roughly $73/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Iowa, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.

Monthly Payment Comparison

Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Iowa's 1.52% property tax rate.

Davenport
Home Price$155,000
Down Payment (10%)$15,500
Loan Amount$139,500
Monthly P&I$882
Monthly Property Tax$196
Monthly Insurance$150
Monthly PMI$58
Total PITI$1,286/mo
Annual property tax: $2,356
Sioux City
Home Price$165,000
Down Payment (10%)$16,500
Loan Amount$148,500
Monthly P&I$939
Monthly Property Tax$209
Monthly Insurance$150
Monthly PMI$62
Total PITI$1,359/mo
Annual property tax: $2,508

Buying in Davenport saves you approximately $73/month ($876/year) compared to Sioux City, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.

Which City Is Better For...

First-Time Buyers

Davenport is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $155K versus $165K in Sioux City. That's $10K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $5K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in Davenport, compared to $6K in Sioux City. Iowa offers the IFA FirstHome program ($2,500 grant) which applies in both cities.

Real Estate Investment

Davenport has the better price-to-rent ratio at 14.7x versus 16.2x in Sioux City. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in Davenport is $880/month on a $155K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.

Families

Davenport (pop. 101,724) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while Sioux City (pop. 85,797) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Davenport offers both more options and lower housing costs, making it attractive for families who want urban amenities without a premium price.

Income Needed to Afford the Median Home

Davenport
$55K
annual household income
Based on $1,286/mo PITI at 28% DTI
Sioux City
$58K
annual household income
Based on $1,359/mo PITI at 28% DTI

Other Cities in Iowa

Des Moines$225K
Pop. 214,133 · Rent $1,120/mo
Cedar Rapids$195K
Pop. 137,710 · Rent $1,020/mo
Iowa City$275K
Pop. 74,828 · Rent $1,180/mo
Waterloo$155K
Pop. 67,314 · Rent $820/mo
Ames$265K
Pop. 66,427 · Rent $1,080/mo
Council Bluffs$175K
Pop. 62,230 · Rent $880/mo
Dubuque$195K
Pop. 59,667 · Rent $920/mo
West Des Moines$295K
Pop. 68,723 · Rent $1,250/mo

Explore Iowa

Iowa Mortgage Guide$210K median →
1.52% tax · $2K closing · $1,800/yr insurance
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Davenport or Sioux City.
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