| Index | Sioux City | Iowa | National |
| Cost of living | 89 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 74 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Utilities | 91 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 92 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 94 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Sioux City can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Sioux City cost of living index is 89, which is 11% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 41 residents in Sioux City to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 68% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 32% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Sioux City is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Sioux City, for example, the median home price is 31.2% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 15% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Sioux City boasting a median household income of $85,184, which is 4.7% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Sioux City, the groceries index is 3.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Sioux City, healthcare costs are 1.6% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Sioux City, the housing index is 26.3% lower than the national average.
The Sioux City cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $108,743 | $9,062 | $2,537 | $3,263 |
| Renters | $52,997 | $4,416 | $1,237 | $1,590 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Iowa | 6% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Iowa | 4.4% | 6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Salix, IA | 498 | 84 | 16.2% |
| Homer, NE | 423 | 86 | 14.3% |
| Jefferson, SD | 692 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Dakota City, NE | 2,297 | 89 | 10.9% |
| South Sioux City, NE | 13,187 | 89 | 10.6% |
| Sioux City, IA | 85,304 | 89 | 10.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fort Myers, FL | 85,270 | 112 | 12.0% |
| Melbourne, FL | 85,242 | 105 | 5.2% |
| Longview, TX | 85,215 | 94 | 6.1% |
| Chino Hills, CA | 85,412 | 177 | 76.9% |
| Goodyear, AZ | 85,486 | 121 | 21.2% |
| Sioux City, IA | 85,304 | 89 | 10.9% |
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