City Comparison

Ann Arbor vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Ann Arbor

Michigan
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,024
Median Income

Sioux City

Iowa
86
Below Average
$182,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

32.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.6%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Ann Arbor has equivalent purchasing power to $56,579 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
135
Ann Arbor
74
Sioux City
Groceries
101
Ann Arbor
97
Sioux City
Utilities
99
Ann Arbor
89
Sioux City
Transportation
101
Ann Arbor
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
101
Ann Arbor
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has the same purchasing power as $56,579 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $99,419 in Ann Arbor.

Living in Ann Arbor vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Ann Arbor's housing index of 135 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $182,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Ann Arbor compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Ann Arbor 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 99 in Ann Arbor and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Ann Arbor vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Ann Arbor 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 $65,024 in Ann Arbor and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,039 and $76,163 respectively. Sioux City residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Ann Arbor vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Ann Arbor, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 32.6% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,579 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Ann Arbor's housing index is 135 with median homes at $400,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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