City Comparison

Sioux City vs St. Louis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sioux City

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

St. Louis

Missouri
90
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$45,782
Median Income

The Verdict

4.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.4%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sioux City has equivalent purchasing power to $78,488 in St. Louis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
74
Sioux City
72
St. Louis
Groceries
97
Sioux City
97
St. Louis
Utilities
89
Sioux City
95
St. Louis
Transportation
92
Sioux City
103
St. Louis
Healthcare
101
Sioux City
95
St. Louis

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Sioux City vs St. Louis

Housing Costs

Sioux City's housing index of 74 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $182,000 vs $175,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 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. Louis, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Sioux City and 95 in St. Louis. 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 $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $76,163 and $50,869 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 $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 11 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. Louis, based on the cost of living difference.
Sioux City's housing index is 74 with median homes at $182,000, while St. Louis's is 72 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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