City Comparison

Johnson City vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

1.2%

Living in Johnson City costs 1.2% less than Sioux City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Johnson City, you would need $75,882 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
74
Sioux City
Groceries
95
Johnson City
97
Sioux City
Utilities
95
Johnson City
89
Sioux City
Transportation
88
Johnson City
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $75,882 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $74,128 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $182,000. The $94,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,108 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 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 $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Johnson City, 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 Housing, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 1.2% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,882 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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