Sioux City vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sioux City
Tempe
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.9%, with Sioux City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sioux City has equivalent purchasing power to $92,442 in Tempe.
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 $92,442 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $60,849 in Sioux City.
Living in Sioux City vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Sioux City's housing index of 74 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $182,000 vs $400,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Sioux City compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Sioux City and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Sioux City vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Sioux City vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Sioux City and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $76,163 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Sioux City, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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