City Comparison

Kent vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

59.3%

Living in Sioux City costs 59.3% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $47,080 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
195
Kent
74
Sioux City
Groceries
109
Kent
97
Sioux City
Utilities
92
Kent
89
Sioux City
Transportation
117
Kent
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
122
Kent
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $47,080 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $119,477 in Kent.

Living in Kent vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $182,000. The $413,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,844 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 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 $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 121 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 59.3% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Kent has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $47,080 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Kent's housing index is 195 with median homes at $595,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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