Sioux City, IA vs Waterloo, IA

Sioux City, IA and Waterloo, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.3% difference in their overall index. Sioux City scores 73 while Waterloo scores 70 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 Sioux City is $936/month compared to $896/month in Waterloo — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waterloo is more affordable at $150,200 median vs $162,600.

Median household income in Sioux City is $65,473 compared to $56,344 in Waterloo (+16.2%). While Sioux City is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Sioux City spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Waterloo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.4°F vs 49°F). Waterloo receives more rainfall at 36.3" per year compared to 29.3" in Sioux City.