Medford vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 23.3% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $60,849 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 Medford has the same purchasing power as $60,849 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $92,442 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $182,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford 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 $73,200 in Medford and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 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 $1,708/month to housing in Medford vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/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 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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