Great Falls vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Great Falls
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 2.3% less expensive than Great Falls overall. A household earning $75,000 in Great Falls would need approximately $73,295 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 Great Falls has the same purchasing power as $73,295 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $76,744 in Great Falls.
Living in Great Falls vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Great Falls's housing index of 82 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $325,000 vs $182,000. The $143,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,050/mo in Great Falls compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Great Falls and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Great Falls 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 Great Falls and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Great Falls vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 92 in Great Falls 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 $55,800 in Great Falls and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,409 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 $1,302/month to housing in Great Falls vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Great Falls, median rent of $1,050/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 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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