City Comparison

Lakewood vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lakewood

Colorado
133
Expensive
$574,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$83,800
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

54.7%

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

Housing
188
Lakewood
74
Sioux City
Groceries
101
Lakewood
97
Sioux City
Utilities
85
Lakewood
89
Sioux City
Transportation
114
Lakewood
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
84
Lakewood
101
Sioux City

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

Sioux City is 54.7% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 133.
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $48,496 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Lakewood's housing index is 188 with median homes at $574,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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