Lakewood vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Sioux City
The Verdict
Living in Sioux City costs 54.7% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lakewood, you would need $48,496 in Sioux City.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $48,496 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $115,988 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $182,000. The $392,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $975.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 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 $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 114 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases