City Comparison

Louisville vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

5.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.8%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to $70,879 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Louisville
74
Sioux City
Groceries
96
Louisville
97
Sioux City
Utilities
91
Louisville
89
Sioux City
Transportation
100
Louisville
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
93
Louisville
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Louisville has the same purchasing power as $70,879 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $79,360 in Louisville.

Living in Louisville vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Louisville's housing index of 77 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $182,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Louisville compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Louisville and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Louisville 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 91 in Louisville and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Louisville vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Louisville 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 $52,238 in Louisville and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,404 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 $1,219/month to housing in Louisville vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/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 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 5.8% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,879 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Louisville's housing index is 77 with median homes at $210,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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