Aurora vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Aurora
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 44.2% less expensive than Aurora overall. A household earning $75,000 in Aurora would need approximately $52,016 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 Aurora has the same purchasing power as $52,016 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $108,140 in Aurora.
Living in Aurora vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $182,000. The $228,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,820 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora 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 87 in Aurora and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $84,300 in Aurora and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 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 $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/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 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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