City Comparison

Augusta vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Georgia
80
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$55,500
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

7.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.0%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $80,625 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
62
Augusta
74
Sioux City
Groceries
96
Augusta
97
Sioux City
Utilities
104
Augusta
89
Sioux City
Transportation
89
Augusta
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
81
Augusta
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $80,625 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $69,767 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 62 is lower Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $182,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Augusta compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Augusta and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Augusta 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 104 in Augusta and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $416 in Augusta 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 81 in Augusta and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,500 in Augusta and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,375 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 $1,295/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Augusta, median rent of $1,075/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 7.0% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,625 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 62 with median homes at $225,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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