Skyline of Sioux City
Cost of Living: 85 82,000

Sioux City, IA, US

Missouri River city in northwest Iowa with a growing meatpacking and logistics economy.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 85

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 88

Affordable

Median Income $52,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Sioux City vs US Average

Cost of Living
Sioux City: 85
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Sioux City: 88
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Sioux City: 5.7%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.7%
  • Sales Tax: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $52,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 82,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 210/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 14°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: $180,000
  • 1BR Rent: $900/mo

Cost of Living

Sioux City's cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100).

CategorySioux CityNational AverageDifference
Overall85100-15.0%
Housing88100-12.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$180,000
Median Rent (1BR)$900/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,125/mo
Price per Sq Ft$120

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Sioux City:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$84Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$83Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$1Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$65Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$298Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Sioux City scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
85
Rent
$900
Sunny Days
210
Tax
5.7%
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
86°F / 14°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
82,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Sioux City has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January34°F14°F2.5"
April71°F29°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F32°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Sioux City faces the following natural hazards:

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

River flooding (Mississippi, Missouri).

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.7%
  • Sales Tax: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~1.57% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Schools & Education

67/100
School Quality Score
Better than 46% of US cities
?
21
Total Schools
9.2:1
Student:Teacher
85.8%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sioux City, IA, US?

The cost of living index in Sioux City is 85, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Sioux City?

The median home price in Sioux City is $180,000. The housing index is 88.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sioux City is approximately $900/mo.

Does Sioux City, IA have income tax?

Sioux City is in IA, which has an income tax rate of 5.7%.

What is the climate like in Sioux City?

Sioux City enjoys approximately 210 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 14°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.