Lincoln vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 8.1% less expensive than Lincoln overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lincoln would need approximately $69,355 in Sioux City to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $69,355 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $81,105 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $182,000. The $82,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,328 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln 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 $71,900 in Lincoln and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $76,163 respectively. Lincoln residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/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 Transportation, where the gap is 5 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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