City Comparison

Madison vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Madison

Wisconsin
106
Above Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$67,565
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

23.3%

Living in Sioux City costs 23.3% less than Madison. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Madison, you would need $60,849 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Madison
74
Sioux City
Groceries
101
Madison
97
Sioux City
Utilities
97
Madison
89
Sioux City
Transportation
103
Madison
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
105
Madison
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Madison has the same purchasing power as $60,849 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $92,442 in Madison.

Living in Madison vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $182,000. The $158,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,272 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison 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 97 in Madison and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison 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 $67,565 in Madison and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 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 $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 23.3% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Madison has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,849 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Madison's housing index is 115 with median homes at $340,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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