CostIndexUSA

San Francisco, CA vs Sioux City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
San Francisco
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Sioux City
86.5
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Sioux City is significantly cheaper than San Francisco — 25.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in San Francisco, you would need $59,900 in Sioux City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing70.3%
San Francisco
194.7
Sioux City
57.8
🛒 Groceries13.4%
San Francisco
108.5
Sioux City
94
🚗 Transportation12.6%
San Francisco
111.5
Sioux City
97.4
🏥 Healthcare12.7%
San Francisco
100.9
Sioux City
88.1
Utilities52.1%
San Francisco
172.6
Sioux City
82.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Sioux City, IA
$59,900
$20,100 less needed in Sioux City

Formula: salary × (86.5 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.7483. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Sioux City, IA

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

San Francisco has 70.3% lower housing costs compared to Sioux City.

Income & Job Market

San Francisco, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
873,965
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceTourismHealthcareMedia

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).

San Francisco, CA
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.