Des Moines, IA vs Sioux City, IA

Sioux City is moderately more affordable than Des Moines, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Des Moines scores 79 compared to 73 for Sioux City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Des Moines can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Des Moines is $1,054/month compared to $936/month in Sioux City — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sioux City is more affordable at $162,600 median vs $183,700.

Median household income in Des Moines is $63,966 compared to $65,473 in Sioux City (-2.3%). Sioux City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Des Moines spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Sioux City.