Iowa · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Sioux City, IA

The median household in Sioux City, IA earns $68,906 a year ($5,742/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,154/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $46,160 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13.5% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$68,906$5,742 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,154HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)86.5-13.5% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IA
Census Population86,101Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Sioux City, IA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,154Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$46,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,723At 30% of $68,906
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Sioux City, IA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Sioux City, IA-NE-SD MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Sioux City, IA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$796$9,552$31,84013.9%
1-Bedroom Apartment$925$11,100$37,00016.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,154$13,848$46,16020.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,386$16,632$55,44024.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,528$18,336$61,12026.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Sioux City, IA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Sioux City, IA

Based on the local median household income of $68,906/year ($5,742/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,871/moRent ($1,154 2-BR), utilities (~$143/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,723/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 86.5 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,148/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Iowa

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Iowa state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$68,906
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,906
Net 80%
Fed 9%
IA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,339After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,612Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,128Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,329 / yr
Iowa state income tax$1,967 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,271 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Iowa with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Sioux City, IA

What is the median household income in Sioux City, IA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Sioux City, IA is $68,906 per year (approximately $5,742 per month).

What is the average rent in Sioux City, IA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Sioux City, IA are $796 for a studio, $925 for 1 bedroom, $1,154 for 2 bedrooms, $1,386 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,528 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Sioux City, IA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Sioux City, IA is 86.5 (13.5% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Sioux City, IA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,154/month) in Sioux City, IA requires a minimum gross household income of $46,160 per year ($3,847 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Sioux City, IA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $68,906/year ($5,742/month) in Sioux City, IA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,871/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,723/month to discretionary spending, and $1,148/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Sioux City, IA?

Residential electricity rates in Iowa average 15.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $143 per month.