Cost of Living in Sioux City, IA
Population 85,651 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Housing costs in Sioux City stay well under national norms: a median home value of $163,000 against median household incomes of $65,473 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Iowa.
Located 75 miles south of Sioux Falls, Sioux City is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Sioux Falls' $271,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Sioux City
The median home value in Sioux City is $162,600 — 47% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $936/month, 29% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $65,473/year is 12% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Iowa's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 6.9%. The climate averages highs of 59.5°F and lows of 37.4°F, with about 36" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sioux City has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 30 | 34 | 48 | 61 | 72 | 82 | 85 | 83 | 77 | 63 | 47 | 33 |
| Low °F | 10 | 15 | 26 | 37 | 49 | 59 | 63 | 61 | 51 | 38 | 25 | 15 |
| Precip" | 0.69 | 0.86 | 1.76 | 3.15 | 3.87 | 4.35 | 3.35 | 3.94 | 2.84 | 2.20 | 1.27 | 0.99 |
| Snow" | 7.7 | 8.7 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 7.6 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Sioux City, IA?
Sioux City has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.
What is average rent in Sioux City, IA?
The median gross rent in Sioux City is $936 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Sioux City?
The median home value in Sioux City is $162,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Sioux City?
The median household income in Sioux City is $65,473 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Sioux City, IA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sioux City is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.
Is Sioux City, IA affordable?
Yes, Sioux City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Sioux City?
Sioux City has average high temperatures of 59.5°F and average lows of 37.4°F. Annual precipitation is 29.3". Average annual snowfall is 36". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Sioux City at a Glance
- Population
- 85,651
- Median Income
- $65,473
- Home Value
- $162,600
- Median Rent
- $936/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 59.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.9%
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Explore county-level cost of living data
Iowa Rankings
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