CostIndexUSA

Providence, RI vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is significantly cheaper than Providence — 15.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Providence, you would need $68,000 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing44.4%
Providence
103.9
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries3.2%
Providence
97.1
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation9.3%
Providence
107.4
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare9.4%
Providence
97.2
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities44.4%
Providence
148.8
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$68,000
$12,000 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 101.8) = salary × 0.8497. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Sioux City, IA

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

Providence has 44.4% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

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).

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.