Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Sioux City, IA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Sioux City, IA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,415 per month in New York, NY vs $2,127 in Sioux City, IA, rent included.

A couple spends around $6,980 per month in New York, NY vs $3,194 in Sioux City, IA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,544 per month in New York, NY vs $4,261 in Sioux City, IA, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 108% more than Sioux City, IA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both New York, NY and Sioux City, IA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 230%, Sioux City, IA by 59%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.48 $29.48

$15.96 $15.96

84.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$143 $143

$54.2 $54.2

163.53%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.41 $12.41

$10.54 $10.54

17.74%

Cappuccino

$6.08 $6.08

$6.03 $6.03

0.83%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.33 $3.33

$2.25 $2.25

48.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$1.72 $1.72

56.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.17 $8.17

$4.96 $4.96

64.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.04 $12.04

$7.20 $7.20

67.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 $1.62

$0.94 $0.94

72.34%

White Bread (500g)

$5.08 $5.08

$2.52 $2.52

101.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.12 $8.12

$2.23 $2.23

264.13%

Eggs

$6.87 $6.87

$3.57 $3.57

92.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.61 $17.61

$8.01 $8.01

119.85%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.41 $16.41

$7.60 $7.60

115.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.81 $19.81

$16.69 $16.69

18.69%

Apples (1kg)

$7.66 $7.66

$4.42 $4.42

73.30%

Banana (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.62 $1.62

56.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.62 $3.62

54.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.40 $6.40

$3.46 $3.46

84.97%

Potato (1kg)

$3.84 $3.84

$1.91 $1.91

101.05%

Onion (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$3.10 $3.10

32.26%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.08 $3.08

$2.30 $2.30

33.91%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.17 $2.17

14.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.83 $18.83

$8.73 $8.73

115.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.67 $19.67

$14.71 $14.71

33.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$1.76 $1.76

69.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 $3.75

$3.94 $3.94

-4.82%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.94 $2.94

$1.83 $1.83

60.66%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$133 $133

$48.10 $48.10

176.20%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.05 $5.05

$1.98 $1.98

155.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.34 $1.34

64.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.75 $42.75

$19.75 $19.75

116.46%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$0.76 $0.76

27.63%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.0K $35.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

37.09%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.3K $28.3K

$24.3K $24.3K

16.57%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$182 $182

$146 $146

24.95%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.3 $60.3

$52.0 $52.0

15.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.5 $63.5

$74.4 $74.4

-14.67%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$98.8 $98.8

44.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$63.6 $63.6

Cinema Ticket

$19.89 $19.89

$14.93 $14.93

33.22%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,129 $3,129

$1,081 $1,081

189.60%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$58.2K $58.2K

$11.9K $11.9K

390.20%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$43.02 $43.02

57.00%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.20 $47.20

$21.68 $21.68

117.71%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 $113

$74.1 $74.1

51.84%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$174 $174

$89.3 $89.3

94.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,145 $4,145

$764 $764

442.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,693 $2,693

$955 $955

181.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,255 $8,255

$1,437 $1,437

474.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,298 $5,298

$1,708 $1,708

210.11%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.5K $18.5K

$1,548 $1,548

1097.80%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,505 $6,505

$1,574 $1,574

313.36%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,520 $5,520

$3,577 $3,577

54.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.61

-2.57%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: July 13, 2026

Last update for Sioux City, IA: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,145 in New York, NY versus $764 in Sioux City, IA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 54% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $143 in New York, NY versus $54.0 in Sioux City, IA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $553 vs $327 – making Sioux City, IA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

New York, NY vs Sioux City, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 108% more than Sioux City, IA, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,623 per month in New York, NY and $3,191 in Sioux City, IA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sioux City, IA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $3,129 per month in New York, NY and $1,081 in Sioux City, IA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 69% more in New York, NY, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Sioux City, IA, where all-in costs run around $2,127, than in New York, NY at $4,415. In Sioux City, IA it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sioux City, IA costs $2,127 versus $4,415 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Sioux City, IA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.