A+
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
28%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Sioux City Iowa National
Cost of living8690100
Goods & Services9196100
Groceries9797100
Health care10399100
Housing7273100
Transportation9198100
Utilities8496100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Sioux City, IA

Knowing the cost of living in Sioux City allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Sioux City stands at 86, marking it 14% lower than the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Sioux City?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 40 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Sioux City. The feedback revealed that 68% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 33% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Sioux City Affordable?

Is Sioux City affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Sioux City, the median home price is 33.4% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 16% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Sioux City boasting a median household income of $57,750, 4.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sioux City?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Sioux City, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 0.33%.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Sioux City, the groceries index is 3.2% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Sioux City, the utilities index registers at 16.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Sioux City displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sioux City is 4% lower than the Iowa average
  • The cost of living in Sioux City is 14% lower than the national average
  • Sioux City housing is 28% lower than the national average
  • Iowa general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Iowa state income tax is 85% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Sioux City

See all the best places to live around Sioux City

Compare Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$72,500$6,042$1,692$2,175
      Renters$36,219$3,018$845$1,087
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Sioux City is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Sioux City has a median income of about $72,500 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,692 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $36,219. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $845 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Iowa Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Iowa 6% 7%

      Iowa Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Iowa 0.33% 8.53%

      Goods & Services

      Item Sioux City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.32$24.260.2%
      Beauty Salon $35.22$45.5622.7%
      Toothpaste $3.80$3.702.7%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.280.7%
      Movie $9.36$12.1322.9%
      Bowling $16.40$18.008.9%

      Groceries

      Item Sioux City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.89$5.840.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.41$1.5710.4%
      Milk $4.75$4.671.7%
      Potatoes $4.63$4.936.2%
      Pizza $10.64$12.0912.0%
      Beer $9.33$10.4110.4%

      Health Care

      Item Sioux City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $135.10$125.687.5%
      Doctor $177.33$135.7830.6%
      Dentist $108.21$113.294.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.48$10.651.7%
      Lipitor $357.08$468.6023.8%

      Housing

      Item Sioux City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $123,100.00$184,700.0033.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,133.89$2,346.699.1%
      Apartment Rent $797.00$949.0016.0%

      Transportation

      Item Sioux City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.28$3.465.3%
      Tire Balancing $49.42$59.9217.5%

      Utilities

      Item Sioux City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $141.67$193.9927.0%
      Phone $194.04$192.250.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Salix, IA4798415.8%
      Homer, NE4108614.0%
      Jefferson, SD6778415.8%
      Dakota City, NE2,2498614.2%
      South Sioux City, NE12,8678613.9%
      Sioux City, IA82,5358614.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kennewick, WA82,6331065.9%
      Melbourne, FL82,2811000.2%
      Chino Hills, CA82,80017271.6%
      Buena Park, CA82,22816363.0%
      Longview, TX82,183946.1%
      Sioux City, IA82,5358614.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.