City Comparison

Sioux City vs St Cloud

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sioux City

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

St Cloud

Minnesota
90
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$60,200
Median Income

The Verdict

4.4%

Living in Sioux City costs 4.4% less than St Cloud. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Sioux City, you would need $78,488 in St Cloud.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
74
Sioux City
82
St Cloud
Groceries
97
Sioux City
101
St Cloud
Utilities
89
Sioux City
95
St Cloud
Transportation
92
Sioux City
99
St Cloud
Healthcare
101
Sioux City
100
St Cloud

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sioux City has the same purchasing power as $78,488 in St Cloud.

Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $71,667 in Sioux City.

Living in Sioux City vs St Cloud

Housing Costs

Sioux City's housing index of 74 is lower St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $182,000 vs $250,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Sioux City compared to $1,000/mo in St Cloud, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Sioux City and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Sioux City vs $480/month in St Cloud. 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 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Sioux City vs $380 in St Cloud. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Sioux City and 100 in St Cloud. 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 $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $76,163 and $66,889 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 $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 8 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux City is 4.4% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Sioux City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,488 in St Cloud, based on the cost of living difference.
Sioux City's housing index is 74 with median homes at $182,000, while St Cloud's is 82 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases