Racine vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Racine
Sioux City
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 2.3%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Racine has equivalent purchasing power to $73,295 in Sioux City.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Racine has the same purchasing power as $73,295 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $76,744 in Racine.
Living in Racine vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Racine's housing index of 66 is lower Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $126,000 vs $182,000. The $56,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Racine compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Racine and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Racine 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 94 in Racine and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Racine vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 111 in Racine and 101 in Sioux City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,700 in Racine and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,568 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 $1,346/month to housing in Racine vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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