Montgomery vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Sioux City
The Verdict
Living in Montgomery costs 8.1% less than Sioux City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Montgomery, you would need $81,646 in Sioux City.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $81,646 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $68,895 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $182,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery 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 115 in Montgomery and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery vs $356 in Sioux City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Montgomery and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,800 in Montgomery and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 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 $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/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 Utilities, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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