Sioux City vs St. Paul

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sioux City has the same purchasing power as $87,209 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $64,500 in Sioux City.

Living in Sioux City vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Sioux City's housing index of 74 is lower St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $182,000 vs $260,000. The $78,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Sioux City compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Sioux City and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Sioux City vs $489/month in St. Paul. Sioux City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Sioux City and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Sioux City vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Sioux City and 105 in St. Paul. 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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $76,163 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases