CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is significantly cheaper than Anchorage — 17.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $65,700 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing47.4%
Anchorage
109.9
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries12.4%
Anchorage
107.3
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation10.2%
Anchorage
108.5
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare10.3%
Anchorage
98.2
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities26.0%
Anchorage
111.8
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Sioux City to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$65,700
$14,300 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.8207. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Sioux City, IA

Median Home Price
$211,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
57.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.3×

Anchorage has 47.4% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Sioux City, IA

Median Household Income
$70,700
Per Capita Income
$40,300
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
82,684
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingAgricultureRetailEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Sioux City, IA
5.1×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.