Cedar Rapids, IA vs Sioux City, IA

Cedar Rapids, IA and Sioux City, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Cedar Rapids scores 74 while Sioux City scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cedar Rapids is $925/month compared to $936/month in Sioux City — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Cedar Rapids has cheaper rent, Sioux City actually has lower median home values ($162,600 vs $177,100).

Median household income in Cedar Rapids is $67,859 compared to $65,473 in Sioux City (+3.6%). While Cedar Rapids is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cedar Rapids spend roughly 16.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.2% in Sioux City.