CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is moderately cheaper than Lancaster — 12.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $70,400 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.4%
Lancaster
93.8
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries6.7%
Lancaster
100.7
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Lancaster
102.6
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare5.1%
Lancaster
92.8
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities22.9%
Lancaster
107.3
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$70,400
$9,600 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.8800. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Sioux City, IA

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

Lancaster has 38.4% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

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).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×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.