Madison vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Madison
Sioux City
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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