CostIndexUSA

Lexington, KY vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

KY
Lexington
92.9
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is moderately cheaper than Lexington — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lexington, you would need $74,500 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing25.0%
Lexington
77.1
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries2.3%
Lexington
96.2
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation4.2%
Lexington
101.7
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare4.2%
Lexington
92
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities+10.9%
Lexington
74.6
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 92.9) = salary × 0.9311. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lexington, KY

Median Home Price
$313,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
77.1
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×

Lexington has 25.0% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Lexington, KY

Median Household Income
$70,000
Per Capita Income
$39,900
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
322,570
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingAgricultureGovernment

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).

Lexington, KY
3.9×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.