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City Report · IA

Sioux City

Pop. 86,101·15th most expensive in Iowa·Sioux City rents are up 13.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,254/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.7%
Month-over-Month
+3.1%
vs US Median
-$708
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Sioux City · $1,254
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
35/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% above what Sioux City's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,254/mo
Expected by trend
$1,167/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Sioux City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$740
1 BR
$850
2 BR
$1,080
3 BR
$1,300
4 BR+
$1,430
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,080/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,254 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,048/yr
At $1,254/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.7% YoY, +3.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Sioux City, IA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 22.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
86,101
Median income
$68,906
Median age
34.9
Renters
34.7%
Age distribution
26.1%
24%
24.1%
14.9%
Under 1826.1%
18–3424%
35–5424.1%
55–6411%
65+14.9%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
66.7%
22.6%
White66.7%
Black6%
Hispanic22.6%
Asian2.4%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
14.4%
32.5%
30.2%
22.9%
No HS diploma14.4%
HS diploma32.5%
Some college30.2%
Bachelor's+22.9%
Housing tenure
65.3%
34.7%
Owner65.3%
Renter34.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Sioux City, IA has changed in 5 years

Income
$59,435 → $68,906
up 15.9%
Population
85,081 → 86,101
up 1.2%
Renter share
34.6% → 34.7%
+0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
21.7% → 22.9%
+1.2 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Sioux City, IA now reports about $68,906, up from $59,435 in 2021. The population has grown by 1.2% since 2021, moving from about 85,081 residents to roughly 86,101.

Community

Discussions about Sioux City

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View Sioux City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sioux City on your salary?

At $1,254/mo, how Sioux City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Sioux City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Sioux City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sioux City

About renting in Sioux City, IA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Sioux City is $1,254/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,080/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $850/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,300/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($68,906/yr), Sioux City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sioux City an affordable city for renters?

Sioux City is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,254/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($68,906/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sioux City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Sioux City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,254/mo in Sioux City. The local median household income is $68,906/yr, meaning the typical Sioux City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sioux City?

Rent in Sioux City has increased 13.7% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Sioux City rent compare to other cities in Iowa?

Sioux City is middle-of-the-pack for Iowa for rent, ranking #15 out of 33 tracked cities at $1,254/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sioux City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Sioux City ($1,254/mo): Vermillion ($813/mo), Fremont ($1,209/mo), Tea ($1,237/mo).

What percentage of Sioux City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.7% of Sioux City households are renters, while 65.3% are owner-occupied. Sioux City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sioux City rent compare to the national average?

Sioux City's median rent of $1,254/mo is $708 (36%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Iowa, it ranks #15 out of 33 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,254/mo, rent takes ~22% of Sioux City's median household income ($68,906/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sioux City 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.8%
Run the Sioux City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Sioux City, IA

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