City Comparison

Sioux City vs Spokane

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sioux City

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

Spokane

Washington
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,834
Median Income

The Verdict

12.2%

Living in Sioux City costs 12.2% less than Spokane. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Sioux City, you would need $85,465 in Spokane.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
74
Sioux City
94
Spokane
Groceries
97
Sioux City
99
Spokane
Utilities
89
Sioux City
98
Spokane
Transportation
92
Sioux City
101
Spokane
Healthcare
101
Sioux City
102
Spokane

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sioux City has the same purchasing power as $85,465 in Spokane.

Conversely, $75,000 in Spokane equals $65,816 in Sioux City.

Living in Sioux City vs Spokane

Housing Costs

Sioux City's housing index of 74 is lower Spokane's 94, translating to median home prices of $182,000 vs $310,000. The $128,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Sioux City compared to $1,200/mo in Spokane, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Sioux City and 99 in Spokane. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Sioux City vs $470/month in Spokane. 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 89 in Sioux City and 98 in Spokane. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Sioux City vs $392 in Spokane. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Sioux City and 102 in Spokane. 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 $65,500 in Sioux City and $48,834 in Spokane. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $76,163 and $49,831 respectively. Sioux City residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,528/month to housing in Sioux City vs $1,139/month in Spokane. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 12.2% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Sioux City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,465 in Spokane, based on the cost of living difference.
Sioux City's housing index is 74 with median homes at $182,000, while Spokane's is 94 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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