City Comparison

College Station vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

College Station

Texas
87
Below Average
$314,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$50,900
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

1.2%

Living in Sioux City costs 1.2% less than College Station. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in College Station, you would need $74,138 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
College Station
74
Sioux City
Groceries
93
College Station
97
Sioux City
Utilities
96
College Station
89
Sioux City
Transportation
85
College Station
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
90
College Station
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in College Station has the same purchasing power as $74,138 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $75,872 in College Station.

Living in College Station vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

College Station's housing index of 82 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $314,000 vs $182,000. The $132,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in College Station compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 93 in College Station and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $442/month in College Station 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 96 in College Station and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in College Station vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in College Station and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $50,900 in College Station and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,506 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 $1,188/month to housing in College Station vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In College Station, 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 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 1.2% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in College Station has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,138 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
College Station's housing index is 82 with median homes at $314,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases