CostIndexUSA

Portland, ME vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ME
Portland
101.9
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is significantly cheaper than Portland — 15.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Portland, you would need $67,900 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing45.1%
Portland
105.2
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries3.3%
Portland
97.2
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation10.1%
Portland
108.4
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare10.1%
Portland
98
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities38.6%
Portland
134.6
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$67,900
$12,100 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 101.9) = salary × 0.8489. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Portland, ME

Median Home Price
$516,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
105.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.5×

Sioux City, IA

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

Portland has 45.1% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Portland, ME

Median Household Income
$92,100
Per Capita Income
$52,500
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
68,408
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationTourismFinanceTechnology

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).

Portland, ME
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.