CostIndexUSA

Chattanooga, TN vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TN
Chattanooga
91.5
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is moderately cheaper than Chattanooga — 5.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chattanooga, you would need $75,600 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing24.5%
Chattanooga
76.6
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries2.1%
Chattanooga
96
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation2.7%
Chattanooga
100.1
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare2.7%
Chattanooga
90.5
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities+11.5%
Chattanooga
74.2
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$75,600
$4,400 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 0.9454. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chattanooga, TN

Median Home Price
$314,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
76.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

Sioux City, IA

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

Chattanooga has 24.5% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Chattanooga, TN

Median Household Income
$68,700
Per Capita Income
$39,200
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
181,099
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTourismTechnologyLogistics

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).

Chattanooga, TN
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.