Amarillo vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Sioux City
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 14.0%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $87,162 in Sioux City.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $87,162 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $64,535 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $182,000. The $13,000 difference in home prices means roughly $840 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $461/month in Sioux City. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,500 in Amarillo and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 and $76,163 respectively. Amarillo residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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