City Comparison

Montgomery vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

8.1%

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

Housing
49
Montgomery
74
Sioux City
Groceries
99
Montgomery
97
Sioux City
Utilities
115
Montgomery
89
Sioux City
Transportation
92
Montgomery
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
78
Montgomery
101
Sioux City

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

Montgomery is 8.1% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,646 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Montgomery's housing index is 49 with median homes at $162,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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