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Retirement community in Sioux City, Iowa

Photo by Maxime Vermeil (@max.vrm) on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@maxvrm)

Sioux City, Iowa Retirement Guide

54

Retirement Score

Sioux City, Iowa at a Glance

Median Home Price
$168,300
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.
Avg January Low
12.6°F
Cost of Living Index
88.4 (US avg = 100)
RetireCityIQ Score
54 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Sioux City, Iowa, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
88.4 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$64,250High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Sioux City's cost of living is 11.599999999999994% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$168,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$903High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
65.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Sioux City using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$365

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$410

Median home price used: $168,300

Median rent reference: $903 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Sioux City, Iowa after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
27.5 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
27.5 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
48.3 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Sioux City scores 27.5 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Sioux City

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Sioux City

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Iowa has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
86.8°FMedium confidence
Avg January Low
12.6°FMedium confidence
Annual Precipitation
24.8"Medium confidence
Sunny Days / Year
302 daysMedium confidence

With 302 sunny days a year and an average January low of 12.6°F, Sioux City offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
17.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
3.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
85,469High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
34.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
14.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
6.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
22.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
72.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
5.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
21.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
2.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Sioux City

What is the cost of living in Sioux City, Iowa for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 88, roughly 12% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $168,300.

Does Iowa tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Iowa residents: State income tax; Social Security and retirement income exempt for those 55+.

What is the climate like in Sioux City, Iowa?

Sioux City, Iowa has January average low around 13°F, July average high around 87°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Sioux City, Iowa?

Sioux City scores 28/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

PECAUT WEALTH MANAGEMENT

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