City Comparison

Hillsboro vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Hillsboro

Oregon
128
Expensive
$533,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$106,700
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

48.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 48.8%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to $50,391 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
175
Hillsboro
74
Sioux City
Groceries
108
Hillsboro
97
Sioux City
Utilities
96
Hillsboro
89
Sioux City
Transportation
126
Hillsboro
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
103
Hillsboro
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has the same purchasing power as $50,391 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $111,628 in Hillsboro.

Living in Hillsboro vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Hillsboro's housing index of 175 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $533,000 vs $182,000. The $351,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hillsboro compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Hillsboro and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Hillsboro vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Hillsboro and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hillsboro vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Hillsboro 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 $106,700 in Hillsboro and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,359 and $76,163 respectively. Hillsboro residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,490/month to housing in Hillsboro vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/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 101 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 48.8% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Hillsboro has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,391 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Hillsboro's housing index is 175 with median homes at $533,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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