City Comparison

Denton vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

25.6%

Sioux City is 25.6% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $59,722 in Sioux City to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
74
Sioux City
Groceries
98
Denton
97
Sioux City
Utilities
90
Denton
89
Sioux City
Transportation
87
Denton
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
81
Denton
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $59,722 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $94,186 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $182,000. The $203,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton 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 90 in Denton and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 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 $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/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 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 25.6% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,722 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, 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