City Comparison

Morgantown vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Morgantown

West Virginia
90
Below Average
$259,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$44,700
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

4.7%

Living in Sioux City costs 4.7% less than Morgantown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Morgantown, you would need $71,667 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
81
Morgantown
74
Sioux City
Groceries
95
Morgantown
97
Sioux City
Utilities
91
Morgantown
89
Sioux City
Transportation
99
Morgantown
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
88
Morgantown
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Morgantown has the same purchasing power as $71,667 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $78,488 in Morgantown.

Living in Morgantown vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Morgantown's housing index of 81 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $259,000 vs $182,000. The $77,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,004 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Morgantown compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Morgantown and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Morgantown 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 91 in Morgantown and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Morgantown vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Morgantown and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $44,700 in Morgantown and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,667 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 $1,043/month to housing in Morgantown vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 4.7% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Morgantown has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,667 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Morgantown's housing index is 81 with median homes at $259,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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