2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Philadelphia, PA vs Des Moines, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Des Moines, is 11% more than it is in Philadelphia and is 18% below the National Average.
- Philadelphia unemployment rate is 10.6%.
- Des Moines unemployment rate is 5.9%.
 Philadelphia, PADes Moines, IAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.9%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock2.7%1.6%
 Future Job Growth28.4%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes8.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock7.4%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$32,344  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$58,444$69,021
 Family Median Income$61,655  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Philadelphia, PADes Moines, IAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock10.0%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K5.2%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock8.5%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K8.7%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock9.7%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K7.4%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock11.9%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K11.3%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock13.6%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K5.4%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock4.0%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Philadelphia, PADes Moines, IAUnited States
 Management, business, finance15.3%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock6.4%6.5%
 Community, social services2.9%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.2%1.2%
 Education, library6.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock2.0%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology7.5%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock3.2%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement3.5%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock6.6%5.4%
 Building maintenance3.6%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock3.6%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support19.1%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.3%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair5.1%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock16.1%13.1%
Reviews for Philadelphia    139 Reviews

Philadelphia is a very walkable and fun city to explore (albeit be aware of where not to explore at least at night). The city has beautiful old architecture , great  More

   |    Reply

I’m originally from New York City, then lived in a small city in upstate New York for eight years, then moved down to Philadelphia and have lived here for many years.  More

   |    Reply

Now the only reason some people disagree is because MONEY. If you live in “manayunk” (which I lived for 2 years) you can’t compare … you can’t compare your out skirt  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Philadelphia

Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.