New Bedford vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New Bedford
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 30.2% less expensive than New Bedford overall. A household earning $75,000 in New Bedford would need approximately $57,589 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 New Bedford has the same purchasing power as $57,589 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $97,674 in New Bedford.
Living in New Bedford vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
New Bedford's housing index of 116 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: $1,225/mo in New Bedford compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in New Bedford and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in New Bedford vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 145 in New Bedford and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $580 in New Bedford 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 118 in New Bedford and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,000 in New Bedford and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,893 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 $1,330/month to housing in New Bedford vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/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 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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