CostIndexUSA

Bowling Green, KY vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

KY
Bowling Green
90.2
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is slightly cheaper than Bowling Green — 4.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bowling Green, you would need $76,700 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing8.8%
Bowling Green
63.4
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries2.3%
Bowling Green
96.2
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation4.2%
Bowling Green
101.7
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare4.2%
Bowling Green
92
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities+10.0%
Bowling Green
75.2
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$76,700
$3,300 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 90.2) = salary × 0.9590. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bowling Green, KY

Median Home Price
$259,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
63.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Sioux City, IA

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

Bowling Green has 8.8% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Bowling Green, KY

Median Household Income
$60,600
Per Capita Income
$34,500
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
72,294
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationRetailAutomotive

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).

Bowling Green, KY
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.