City Comparison

Olathe vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Olathe

Kansas
106
Above Average
$364,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$114,000
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

23.3%

Living in Sioux City costs 23.3% less than Olathe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Olathe, you would need $60,849 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
106
Olathe
74
Sioux City
Groceries
96
Olathe
97
Sioux City
Utilities
98
Olathe
89
Sioux City
Transportation
95
Olathe
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
102
Olathe
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Olathe has the same purchasing power as $60,849 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $92,442 in Olathe.

Living in Olathe vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Olathe's housing index of 106 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $364,000 vs $182,000. The $182,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,832 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Olathe compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Olathe and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Olathe 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 98 in Olathe and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Olathe vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Olathe 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 $114,000 in Olathe and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,547 and $76,163 respectively. Olathe residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,660/month to housing in Olathe vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Olathe, median rent of $1,425/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 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 23.3% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Olathe has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,849 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Olathe's housing index is 106 with median homes at $364,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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