Rockford vs Sioux City
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rockford
Sioux City
The Verdict
Rockford is 8.1% less expensive than Sioux City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Rockford would need approximately $81,646 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 Rockford has the same purchasing power as $81,646 in Sioux City.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $68,895 in Rockford.
Living in Rockford vs Sioux City
Housing Costs
Rockford's housing index of 52 is lower Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $182,000. The $27,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,752 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Rockford compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Rockford and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Rockford 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 92 in Rockford and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Rockford vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 106 in Rockford 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 $53,300 in Rockford and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,468 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 $1,244/month to housing in Rockford vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Rockford, median rent of $950/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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