Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Sioux City, IA and Buenos Aires

For one person, living is cheaper in Buenos Aires: $1,685 a month against $2,192 in Sioux City, IA, rent and utilities included – about $6,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Sioux City, IA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,192
/mo nomad
Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,685
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Sioux City, IA and in Buenos Aires

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sioux City, IA and in Buenos Aires actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,192 in Sioux City, IA versus $1,685 in Buenos Aires.

  • Sioux City, IA $2,192
  • Buenos Aires $1,685

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,334 in Sioux City, IA versus $2,742 in Buenos Aires.

  • Sioux City, IA $3,334
  • Buenos Aires $2,742

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,477 in Sioux City, IA versus $3,799 in Buenos Aires.

  • Sioux City, IA $4,477
  • Buenos Aires $3,799

Living in Sioux City, IA is roughly 30% more expensive than in Buenos Aires, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Sioux City, IA 64% above, Buenos Aires 26% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.27 $20.27
$18.73 ARS 28.4K
8.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.2 $54.2
$64.5 ARS 97.8K
-15.99%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.45 $10.45
$12.88 ARS 19.5K
-18.87%
Cappuccino
$6.02 $6.02
$3.98 ARS 6,029
51.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.05 ARS 3,103
4.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.55 ARS 2,349
14.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.98 $4.98
$3.84 ARS 5,830
29.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90 $5.90
$4.60 ARS 6,970
28.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.44 ARS 2,181
-38.89%
White Bread (500g)
$2.97 $2.97
$2.46 ARS 3,738
20.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.23 $3.23
$1.63 ARS 2,467
98.16%
Eggs
$3.52 $3.52
$2.89 ARS 4,385
21.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.35 $8.35
$10.65 ARS 16.1K
-21.60%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.58 $7.58
$10.00 ARS 15.2K
-24.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.89 $16.89
$13.74 ARS 20.8K
22.93%
Apples (1kg)
$4.80 $4.80
$2.75 ARS 4,166
74.55%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 $1.58
$2.18 ARS 3,300
-27.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.21 $4.21
$1.45 ARS 2,205
190.34%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.95 $3.95
$1.99 ARS 3,013
98.49%
Potato (1kg)
$1.88 $1.88
$1.24 ARS 1,885
51.61%
Onion (1kg)
$4.78 $4.78
$1.27 ARS 1,921
276.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.32 $2.32
$1.70 ARS 2,575
36.47%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.73 ARS 2,617
25.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.13 $9.13
$4.18 ARS 6,337
118.42%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.11 $15.11
$5.80 ARS 8,790
160.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 $1.68
$2.09 ARS 3,163
-19.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96 $2.96
$2.77 ARS 4,198
6.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.85 $1.85
$0.75 ARS 1,132
146.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$47.11 $47.11
$27.15 ARS 41.2K
73.52%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.99 $1.99
$1.62 ARS 2,451
22.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.26 $1.26
$0.98 ARS 1,481
28.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.21 $20.21
$7.72 ARS 11.7K
161.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.36 ARS 2,058
-36.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.3K $36.3K
$28.0K ARS 42.5M
29.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K $24.9K
$34.5K ARS 52.4M
-28.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$165 $165
$216 ARS 326.9K
-23.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.4 $52.4
$25.61 ARS 38.8K
104.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.9 $68.9
$31.36 ARS 47.6K
119.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.8 $98.8
$49.82 ARS 75.6K
98.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.20 $20.20
$17.06 ARS 25.9K
18.41%
Cinema Ticket
$15.17 $15.17
$10.43 ARS 15.8K
45.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,089 $1,089
$466 ARS 706.7K
133.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.8K $11.8K
$9,057 ARS 13.7M
30.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.23 $43.23
$122 ARS 185.2K
-64.60%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.84 $21.84
$97.4 ARS 147.8K
-77.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.7 $76.7
$117 ARS 177.4K
-34.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.8 $88.8
$140 ARS 211.9K
-36.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$947 $947
$763 ARS 1.2M
24.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$945 $945
$505 ARS 766.1K
87.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,480 $1,480
$1,598 ARS 2.4M
-7.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,690 $1,690
$1,185 ARS 1.8M
42.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,540 $1,540
$2,678 ARS 4.1M
-42.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,535 $1,535
$1,858 ARS 2.8M
-17.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sioux City, IA
Buenos Aires
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,593 $3,593
$954 ARS 1.4M
276.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.57
57.25
-88.52%

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

Last update for Sioux City, IA: October 6, 2026

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Sioux City, IA
$945
Buenos Aires
$505 46.5% $440
Groceries & Markets
Sioux City, IA
$344
Buenos Aires
$284 17.5% $60
Eating Out
Sioux City, IA
$318
Buenos Aires
$279 12.3% $39
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sioux City, IA
$286
Buenos Aires
$273 4.8% $14
Sport & Entertainment
Sioux City, IA
$129
Buenos Aires
$71 45.3% $58
Clothing & Footwear
Sioux City, IA
$104
Buenos Aires
$214 107% $111
Getting Around
Sioux City, IA
$63
Buenos Aires
$37 41.7% $26

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $947 in Sioux City, IA and $763 in Buenos Aires. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Sioux City, IA pays 276% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $54.0 in Sioux City, IA vs $64.0 in Buenos Aires. Groceries flip the comparison at $344 vs $284, with Buenos Aires cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Sioux City, IA
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🕒 Local time
01:51 1:51 AM
03:51 3:51 AM
2 h ahead of Sioux City, IA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
85,797
2,891,082 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

ARS, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 USD = 1,517 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.59 USD). 1 EUR = 1,699 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.88 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Sioux City, IA Buenos Aires 9,400 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Sioux City, IA
  • Buenos Aires

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Sioux City, IA vs Buenos Aires: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Sioux City, IA and in Buenos Aires?
Sioux City, IA and Buenos Aires differ by about 30% in total monthly costs ($2,192 vs $1,685 including rent). Buenos Aires is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Sioux City, IA or Buenos Aires?
Average pay runs 276% higher in Sioux City, IA, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Sioux City, IA and in Buenos Aires?
Rent for a central apartment: $947 in Sioux City, IA versus $763 in Buenos Aires. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Sioux City, IA and Buenos Aires?
Childcare runs $1,089 in Sioux City, IA versus $466 in Buenos Aires. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% higher in Sioux City, IA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,685 in Buenos Aires versus $2,192 in Sioux City, IA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Buenos Aires but tight or insufficient in Sioux City, IA. The gap between the two cities makes Buenos Aires the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Sioux City, IA and Buenos Aires?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Sioux City, IA or Buenos Aires safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Sioux City, IA and Buenos Aires are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Sioux City, IA or Buenos Aires?
Expats usually find Buenos Aires gentler on the wallet – expenses run 30% less than in Sioux City, IA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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