Olympia vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Olympia
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 30.2% less expensive than Olympia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Olympia 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 Olympia has the same purchasing power as $57,589 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $97,674 in Olympia.
Living in Olympia vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Olympia's housing index of 131 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $182,000. The $313,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,340 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Olympia compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Olympia and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Olympia 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 91 in Olympia and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Olympia vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 124 in Olympia and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $81,300 in Olympia and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $72,589 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 $1,897/month to housing in Olympia vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/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 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases