City Comparison

Barcelona vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Barcelona

Spain
78
Very Affordable
$365,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$37,500
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

9.3%

Living in Barcelona costs 9.3% less than Sioux City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Barcelona, you would need $82,692 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
95
Barcelona
74
Sioux City
Groceries
72
Barcelona
97
Sioux City
Utilities
82
Barcelona
89
Sioux City
Transportation
85
Barcelona
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
68
Barcelona
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has the same purchasing power as $82,692 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $68,023 in Barcelona.

Living in Barcelona vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Barcelona's housing index of 95 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $365,000 vs $182,000. The $183,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,892 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Barcelona compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 72 in Barcelona and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $342/month in Barcelona vs $461/month in Sioux City. Barcelona offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1428/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 82 in Barcelona and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Barcelona vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 68 in Barcelona and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 33-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $37,500 in Barcelona and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $48,077 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 $875/month to housing in Barcelona vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Barcelona, median rent of $1,375/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Barcelona is 9.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Barcelona has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,692 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Barcelona's housing index is 95 with median homes at $365,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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