City Comparison

Santa Fe vs Sioux City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Santa Fe

New Mexico
117
Above Average
$480,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,982
Median Income

Sioux City

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

The Verdict

36.0%

Living in Sioux City costs 36.0% less than Santa Fe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Santa Fe, you would need $55,128 in Sioux City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
153
Santa Fe
74
Sioux City
Groceries
103
Santa Fe
97
Sioux City
Utilities
96
Santa Fe
89
Sioux City
Transportation
99
Santa Fe
92
Sioux City
Healthcare
95
Santa Fe
101
Sioux City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Santa Fe has the same purchasing power as $55,128 in Sioux City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux City equals $102,035 in Santa Fe.

Living in Santa Fe vs Sioux City

Housing Costs

Santa Fe's housing index of 153 is higher Sioux City's 74, translating to median home prices of $480,000 vs $182,000. The $298,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,368 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Santa Fe compared to $875/mo in Sioux City, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Santa Fe and 97 in Sioux City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Santa Fe 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 96 in Santa Fe and 89 in Sioux City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Santa Fe vs $356 in Sioux City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Santa Fe 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 $61,982 in Santa Fe and $65,500 in Sioux City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $52,976 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 $1,446/month to housing in Santa Fe vs $1,528/month in Sioux City. In Santa Fe, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 36.0% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Santa Fe has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,128 in Sioux City, based on the cost of living difference.
Santa Fe's housing index is 153 with median homes at $480,000, while Sioux City's is 74 with median homes at $182,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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