City Comparison
South Sioux City vs Lincoln
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
South Sioux City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
South Sioux City
Lincoln
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
South Sioux City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
85% lower than in Lincoln.
Housing costs are a major driver: South Sioux City's average rent is
28% lower than Lincoln's.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Lincoln | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $983 | $1,363 | -28% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $260 | -35% |
| Transport | $110 | $1,200 | -91% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $9,572 | -98% |
| Monthly Total | $1,873 | $12,795 | -85% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lincoln offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lincoln delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in South Sioux City is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Lincoln.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $71,867 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 76,454 idx |
| Household Income | $68,223 | $71,867 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
South Sioux City runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, South Sioux City comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — South Sioux City sees 21.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
South Sioux City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Lincoln.
South Sioux City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, South Sioux City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lincoln is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, South Sioux City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,043 | 303,375 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.61% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.60% |
| GDP | — | $150.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
South Sioux City
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $983 is roughly 41% lower than the national average per Zillow market data
Average commute time of 12.2 minutes is less than half the national norm per U.S. Census data
Median property value of $174,700 provides exceptional homeownership accessibility per Census figures
Thriving multicultural community offering diverse cultural events and authentic local cuisine
Proximity to the tri-state metropolitan economic zone expands employment and entertainment options
Drawbacks
Per capita and median household incomes lag behind national averages
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited public transit infrastructure
Susceptibility to cold Midwestern winter weather extremes with significant snowfall
Poverty rate of 12.2% slightly challenges localized socioeconomic mobility
Limited high-end retail and specialized entertainment options directly within city limits
Lincoln
Advantages
Lincoln's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, driven by more affordable housing and utilities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.6% as of May 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Lincoln has a shorter average commute time of 19.5 minutes, saving residents time compared to the national average.
The city is recognized for its exceptional public safety, with Part 1 crime reaching a 25-year low in 2025.
Over 40% of adults in Lincoln have a bachelor's degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Drawbacks
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Lincoln are about 3% higher than the U.S. average.
Lincoln's employment and wage growth rates have been nearly identical to Omaha's, which have been slower than comparable cities.
Public transportation options, while affordable, have a limited reach around the city.
The state of Nebraska, including Lincoln, has experienced low population and labor force growth due to people relocating to other states.
Some goods and services in Lincoln are approximately 4% pricier than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
South Sioux City
#91Nebraska, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$983
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
75
Business
69
Lincoln
#173Nebraska, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,363
Avg Salary
$71,867
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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