Living in Sioux City, IA
Sioux City is the 420th-largest city in the US, home to about 86,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well below the national average (86.5 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 86,356+0.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $173,6002.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $976/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $68,906median, per year
- Price level
- 86.5US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 30° / 85°lows 10° / 63°
- Average commute
- 18 min5% work from home
- State income tax
- 3.8%top rate, flat
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County: Woodbury County, Plymouth County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 1,201 ft
Metro area: Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Cost of living in Sioux City
The median home in Sioux City is worth $173,600 and the median household earns $68,906 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $976 a month, about 17% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area at 86.5, with housing at 57.8 and goods at 94.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $64,800 here. Iowa taxes wages at a top rate of 3.8% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Iowa is 6.94%.
What would my salary be worth in Sioux City?
Sioux City weather
Average highs run from 30°F in January to 85°F in July, and January nights average 10°F. It gets 29 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 36 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 154 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Sioux City
People and work
The median resident is 34.9 years old, and 23% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 65% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 18 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.9182nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 23%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 65%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,46059.2 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1957median year
Who moves to Sioux City, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Des Moines (Polk County), Chicago (Cook County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Des Moines (Polk County), Fayetteville (Washington County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Woodbury County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, winter weather, hail, strong wind.
Home prices
-1.1% in a year
Up 40% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
80% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD area (284 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Sioux City
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of South Dakota 34 miles
- Morningside University 2 miles
- Briar Cliff University 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Sioux City
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Gateway Airport SUX | 7 mi | 28,299 |
| Sioux Falls Regional Airport FSD | 77 mi | 701,353 |
| Eppley Airfield Airport OMA | 87 mi | 2,583,212 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Sioux City
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morningside University | 2 mi | 1,163 | $23,505 | 52% |
| Briar Cliff University | 3 mi | 624 | $27,472 | 46% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Wildfire smoke in Sioux City
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Sioux City on about 145 days a year, including about 41 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Sioux City
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 32,926 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Sioux City
Downtown Sioux City is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City Community School District | Pre-K to 12 | 14,475 | 21 | 15.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: South Sioux City Community Schools (3,871 students), Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District (1,777 students), Dakota Valley School District 61-8 (1,341 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Sioux City's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Sioux City's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Davenport, IA79% matchCompare
- Rockford, IL71% matchCompare
- Fort Wayne, IN68% matchCompare
- Racine, WI66% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Sioux City
- Great Bear Recreation Park 76 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Sioux City
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 18 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Sioux City report card from locals
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Sioux City through locals' eyes
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Cities near Sioux City
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD | 75 mi | 213,748 | $292,400 | 90.6 | Compare |
| Omaha, NE | 89 mi | 488,797 | $245,500 | 91.9 | Compare |
| Lincoln, NE | 118 mi | 301,522 | $264,000 | 91.6 | Compare |
| Ankeny, IA | 154 mi | 77,833 | $331,000 | 91.7 | Compare |
| Des Moines, IA | 155 mi | 212,086 | $194,700 | 91.7 | Compare |
| Lakeville, MN | 217 mi | 79,270 | $452,500 | 104.8 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Sioux City with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Sioux City a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes. Compare Sioux City side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Sioux City?
The Census Bureau estimates Sioux City had 86,356 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 85,907 in April 2020 (+0.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Sioux City?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $64,800 in the Sioux City area. The median household here earns $68,906.
When is the best time to visit Sioux City?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 85°F and January 30°F for daytime highs.
What county is Sioux City in?
Most of Sioux City (90% of its land) is in Woodbury County. Smaller parts lie in Plymouth County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Sioux City in?
Sioux City is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Sioux City?
About 1,201 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Iowa have a state income tax?
Yes. Iowa has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3.8% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Sioux City. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Sioux City Gateway Airport, IA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.