Duluth vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Sioux City
The Verdict
Duluth is 1.2% less expensive than Sioux City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $75,882 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 Duluth has the same purchasing power as $75,882 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $74,128 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $182,000. The $86,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth 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 94 in Duluth and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $68,800 in Duluth and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $76,163 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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