Sioux City vs Surprise

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 $89,826 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $62,621 in Sioux City.

Living in Sioux City vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Sioux City's housing index of 74 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $182,000 vs $419,000. The $237,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,408 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Sioux City compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Sioux City and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Sioux City vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Sioux City vs $408 in Surprise. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Sioux City and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $76,163 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,528/month to housing in Sioux City vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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