Burlington vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 37.2% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $54,661 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 Burlington has the same purchasing power as $54,661 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $102,907 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $182,000. The $198,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $925.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington 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 116 in Burlington and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 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 $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/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 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases