Ankeny, IA vs Sioux City, IA

The cost of living difference between Ankeny, IA and Sioux City, IA is dramatic. Sioux City is 33.3% cheaper than Ankeny, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ankeny has a cost index of 97 while Sioux City sits at 73, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Ankeny is $1,279/month compared to $936/month in Sioux City — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sioux City is more affordable at $162,600 median vs $311,300.

Median household income in Ankeny is $106,603 compared to $65,473 in Sioux City (+62.8%). While Ankeny is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ankeny spend roughly 14.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.2% in Sioux City.