Arlington vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 90.7% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $39,329 in Sioux City to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $39,329 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $143,023 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $182,000. The $558,000 difference in home prices means roughly $36,276 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $1,475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $356 in Sioux City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $76,163 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 Housing, where the gap is 175 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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