City Comparison

Raleigh vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Raleigh

North Carolina
102
Average
$370,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$67,266
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

18.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.6%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Raleigh has equivalent purchasing power to $63,235 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
107
Raleigh
74
Sioux City
Groceries
100
Raleigh
97
Sioux City
Utilities
94
Raleigh
89
Sioux City
Transportation
100
Raleigh
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
108
Raleigh
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $63,235 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $88,953 in Raleigh.

Living in Raleigh vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Raleigh's housing index of 107 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $182,000. The $188,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,216 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh 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 Raleigh and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh 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 $67,266 in Raleigh and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 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 $1,570/month to housing in Raleigh vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/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 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 18.6% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,235 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Raleigh's housing index is 107 with median homes at $370,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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