CostIndexUSA

Rochester, NY vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Rochester
97
overall index
$1,475/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is moderately cheaper than Rochester — 10.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Rochester, you would need $71,300 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing33.9%
Rochester
87.5
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries5.7%
Rochester
99.7
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation5.1%
Rochester
102.6
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare5.2%
Rochester
92.9
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities37.9%
Rochester
133.2
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$71,300
$8,700 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 97) = salary × 0.8918. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Rochester, NY

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
87.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Sioux City, IA

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

Rochester has 33.9% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Rochester, NY

Median Household Income
$73,300
Per Capita Income
$41,800
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
211,328
Top Industries
HealthcareTechnologyEducationManufacturingFinance

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).

Rochester, NY
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.