City Comparison

Cranston vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island
109
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$90,200
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

26.7%

Living in Sioux City costs 26.7% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $59,174 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
74
Sioux City
Groceries
103
Cranston
97
Sioux City
Utilities
113
Cranston
89
Sioux City
Transportation
93
Cranston
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
110
Cranston
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cranston has the same purchasing power as $59,174 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $95,058 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $395,000 vs $182,000. The $213,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,848 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Cranston and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston 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 110 in Cranston and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $90,200 in Cranston and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $76,163 respectively. Cranston residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,105/month to housing in Cranston vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/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 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 26.7% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,174 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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