Rochester vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rochester
Sioux City
The Verdict
Sioux City is 9.3% less expensive than Rochester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Rochester would need approximately $68,617 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 Rochester has the same purchasing power as $68,617 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $81,977 in Rochester.
Living in Rochester vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Rochester's housing index of 95 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $345,000 vs $182,000. The $163,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Rochester compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Rochester and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Rochester vs $461/month in Sioux City. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Rochester and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Rochester vs $356 in Sioux City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Rochester 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 $91,500 in Rochester and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,340 and $76,163 respectively. Rochester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,135/month to housing in Rochester vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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