City Comparison

Newark vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Newark

New Jersey
121
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$40,014
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

40.7%

Living in Sioux City costs 40.7% less than Newark. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Newark, you would need $53,306 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
149
Newark
74
Sioux City
Groceries
103
Newark
97
Sioux City
Utilities
118
Newark
89
Sioux City
Transportation
115
Newark
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
105
Newark
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Newark has the same purchasing power as $53,306 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $105,523 in Newark.

Living in Newark vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Newark's housing index of 149 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $182,000. The $158,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,272 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Newark compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Newark and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Newark vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Newark and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Newark 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 105 in Newark 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 $40,014 in Newark and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,069 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 $934/month to housing in Newark vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Newark, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 40.7% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 121.
A $75,000 salary in Newark has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,306 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Newark's housing index is 149 with median homes at $340,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases