City Comparison

Nampa vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

22.1%

Sioux City is 22.1% less expensive than Nampa overall. A household earning $75,000 in Nampa would need approximately $61,429 in Sioux City to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
74
Sioux City
Groceries
105
Nampa
97
Sioux City
Utilities
83
Nampa
89
Sioux City
Transportation
113
Nampa
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
102
Nampa
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $61,429 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $91,570 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $182,000. The $189,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,288 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Nampa 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 $74,300 in Nampa and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 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 $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 22.1% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,429 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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