For one person, living costs in Sioux City, IA are estimated at $2,168 a month, including rent and utilities – 20% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about half of the total.
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 actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $2,168 monthly including rent, or $1,080 excluding housing.
$2,168 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,305 with rent, or $1,806 without housing.
$3,305 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,442 including rent, or $2,532 for daily expenses alone.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.4K$35.4K
$34.7K$34.7K
$36.0K$36.0K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.0K$25.0K
$25.0K$25.0K
$25.2K$25.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$167$167
$84.6$84.6
$323$323
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.4$52.4
$21.74$21.74
$88.9$88.9
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.0$69.0
$44.55$44.55
$99.0$99.0
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$98.8$98.8
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.08$20.08
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.05$15.05
$10.04$10.04
$17.06$17.06
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,098$1,098
$1,098$1,098
$2,028$2,028
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.0K$12.0K
$12.0K$12.0K
$17.2K$17.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.40$43.40
$20.02$20.02
$100$100
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.73$21.73
$20.21$20.21
$23.24$23.24
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.2$77.2
$49.80$49.80
$149$149
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.3$89.3
$80.9$80.9
$101$101
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$923$923
$740$740
$1,106$1,106
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$922$922
$902$902
$941$941
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,481$1,481
$1,427$1,427
$1,536$1,536
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,743$1,743
$1,628$1,628
$1,831$1,831
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,546$1,546
$1,538$1,538
$1,549$1,549
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,546$1,546
$1,539$1,539
$1,550$1,550
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,592$3,592
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.57
6
7.69
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 10, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Sioux City, IA$2,168
Sioux City, IA$4,442
🏠Accommodation & Living
$922 42.5%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$342 15.8%
🍽Eating Out
$320 14.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$288 13.3%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$129 5.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$104 4.8%
🚌Getting Around
$63 2.9%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.7K 39.2%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$786 17.7%
🍽Eating Out
$933 21%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$340 7.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$278 6.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$232 5.2%
🚌Getting Around
$129 2.9%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $923 for a central one-bedroom, or $922 outside the center. At 26% of the average salary ($3,592), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $3,592, while typical expenses reach $2,168. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.
🛒Expect to spend about $342 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $56.0 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $47.88 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐Gym membership is more expensive than 96% of cities in North America
⭐Cappuccino is more expensive than 94% of cities in North America
⭐Taxi is cheaper than 93% of cities in North America
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Sioux City, IA - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sioux City, IA, United States a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare with other Midwest cities?
Sioux City offers a practical balance of housing, groceries, and everyday services that often feels more affordable than larger coastal hubs or bigger Midwest metros. The city accommodates a range of styles, from compact apartments to family homes, typically with straightforward leases and predictable utilities. Cost of Living in Sioux City, IA, United States tends to be lower for daily essentials and transportation, while still delivering access to parks, dining, and community events. The key to value is picking a neighborhood that matches your daily routine, then leveraging local amenities like coworking spaces and seasonal markets to keep expenses predictable. Tip: map a weekly routine to minimize back-and-forth and maximize savings.
What should you expect in daily life in Sioux City, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Finding a place here starts with a neighborhood map: singles and couples often gravitate to compact apartments near riverfronts or midtown corridors, where leases feel straightforward and utilities are manageable. Food options range from farmers markets to casual eateries, with plenty of grocery choices that support home cooking and value meals. For getting around, you'll find a mix of car, bus routes, and bike lanes that suit commutes and errands; coworking spaces and cafes offer reliable work hubs. If you're balancing speed with cost, Sioux City, IA, United States living cost varies by zone, so align your base with your daily routine. Tip: consider a short-term lease while you scout neighborhoods.
What factors affect quality of life and budgeting, seasons, neighborhood fit, and tips to save?
Quality of life here blends a Midwestern sense of practicality with access to riverfront recreation and cultural events, which helps you balance work and downtime. A simple budgeting framework works well: separate fixed costs from flexible ones, track seasonal purchases, and plan meals around grocery sales and local markets. Neighborhoods vary from quaint historic blocks to newer developments, so consider walkability, safety, and proximity to parks and coworking spaces. In shoulder seasons you’ll notice milder crowds and steadier energy in cafes and transit. Tip: set a target weekly food and transport budget and revisit it quarterly to stay aligned with changes.
What are the monthly living expenses in Sioux City, IA as of 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Sioux City, IA come to around $2,168 including rent, or roughly $1,080 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
Is the cost of living in Sioux City, IA reasonable?
At around $2,168 monthly all-in, Sioux City, IA offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
What income level supports a comfortable lifestyle in Sioux City, IA?
Earning $3,252 monthly in Sioux City, IA means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
What is the rental price range for apartments in Sioux City, IA?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Sioux City, IA range from $922 to $923, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
Is public transport affordable in Sioux City, IA?
A monthly transit pass in Sioux City, IA runs about $47.88, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
What should I budget for groceries in Sioux City, IA?
At about $342 monthly, food costs in Sioux City, IA sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Sioux City, IA?
Living on $3,000 in Sioux City, IA means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,168. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is life like for foreigners living in Sioux City, IA?
Expats in Sioux City, IA enjoy fast internet, clean air, family-friendly facilities, and monthly costs average around $2,168. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
How much can you save per month in Sioux City, IA?
Monthly expenses in Sioux City, IA run around $2,168, so putting money aside takes more than $3,252 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Sioux City, IA vs other spots: cost of living compared