City Comparison

Rio Rancho vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Rio Rancho

New Mexico
95
Below Average
$337,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$85,800
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

10.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.5%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Rio Rancho has equivalent purchasing power to $67,895 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
91
Rio Rancho
74
Sioux City
Groceries
97
Rio Rancho
97
Sioux City
Utilities
84
Rio Rancho
89
Sioux City
Transportation
92
Rio Rancho
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
99
Rio Rancho
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has the same purchasing power as $67,895 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $82,849 in Rio Rancho.

Living in Rio Rancho vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Rio Rancho's housing index of 91 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $337,000 vs $182,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Rio Rancho compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Rio Rancho and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Rio Rancho 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 84 in Rio Rancho and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Rio Rancho vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Rio Rancho 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 $85,800 in Rio Rancho and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $90,316 and $76,163 respectively. Rio Rancho residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,002/month to housing in Rio Rancho vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Rio Rancho, median rent of $1,400/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 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 10.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Rio Rancho has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,895 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Rio Rancho's housing index is 91 with median homes at $337,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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