CostIndexUSA

Sioux City, IA vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
TX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Sioux City is moderately cheaper than Waco — 7.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Sioux City, you would need $85,600 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+44.5%
Sioux City
57.8
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Sioux City
94
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation+3.8%
Sioux City
97.4
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare+3.7%
Sioux City
88.1
Waco
91.4
Utilities2.1%
Sioux City
82.7
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$85,600
$5,600 more needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 86.5) = salary × 1.0705. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Sioux City, IA

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

Waco, TX

Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
83.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

Waco has 44.5% higher housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Sioux City, IA

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

Waco, TX

Median Household Income
$62,700
Per Capita Income
$35,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
138,486
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

80% of income left after rent (median)

Waco, TX
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.