City Comparison
South Sioux City vs Omaha
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
Omaha
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
South Sioux City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Omaha.
Housing costs are a major driver: South Sioux City's average rent is
32% lower than Omaha's.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Omaha | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $983 | $1,450 | -32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,873 | $2,400 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Omaha offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Omaha 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 $55,000 in Omaha.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $65,465 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 71,158 idx |
| Household Income | $68,223 | $73,201 |
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 | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| 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
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Omaha.
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 | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Omaha 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, Omaha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | South Sioux City | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,043 | 494,169 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 35.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
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
Omaha
Advantages
The cost of living in Omaha is 8.1% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Omaha boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.9% as of May 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The average commute time is relatively short at 19.6 minutes in 2024.
Median household income was $73,201 in 2024, reflecting healthy earning potential.
The city has a diverse and growing economy driven by key sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.
Drawbacks
Omaha has a 'Car-Dependent' Walk Score of 47 and 'Minimal Transit' Transit Score of 30, indicating limited public transportation and walkability options.
Assisted living costs in Omaha, at $6,150 per month in 2024, are higher than the state average.
The city experienced a slight population decline of 0.6% from April 2020 to mid-2025 according to one estimate, though other projections show growth.
While generally safe, like any major city, crime rates can be a concern in specific areas.
Specific job growth rates and new business formation rates for 2024+ were not consistently available, making it difficult to quantify recent economic momentum.
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
Omaha
#200Nebraska, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,465
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between South Sioux City and Omaha.
Open Cost Calculator