City Comparison

Flagstaff vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Flagstaff

Arizona
116
Above Average
$655,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$68,000
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

34.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 34.9%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Flagstaff has equivalent purchasing power to $55,603 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
178
Flagstaff
74
Sioux City
Groceries
102
Flagstaff
97
Sioux City
Utilities
92
Flagstaff
89
Sioux City
Transportation
109
Flagstaff
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
102
Flagstaff
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Flagstaff has the same purchasing power as $55,603 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $101,163 in Flagstaff.

Living in Flagstaff vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Flagstaff's housing index of 178 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $655,000 vs $182,000. The $473,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,744 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Flagstaff compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Flagstaff and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Flagstaff 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 92 in Flagstaff and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Flagstaff vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Flagstaff and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $68,000 in Flagstaff and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,621 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 $1,587/month to housing in Flagstaff vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Flagstaff, median rent of $1,750/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 104 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 34.9% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Flagstaff has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,603 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Flagstaff's housing index is 178 with median homes at $655,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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