Cranston vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Cranston
Sioux City
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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