Cost of Living in Sioux Falls, SD

Population 197,642 · South Dakota · Data vintage 2023

84
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Sioux Falls cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $271,000, rents near $993 a month. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Cost Overview

Housing 89
Rent 76

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Sioux Falls

The median home value in Sioux Falls is $271,400 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $993/month, 24% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,714/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. South Dakota charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 58.0°F and lows of 36.6°F, with about 45.3" of annual snowfall. Overall, Sioux Falls has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$271,400
11% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$326,187
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$993/mo
24% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,265/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$598
1 BR
$702
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,213
4 BR
$1,391
Owner-occupied 60.0%
Renter-occupied 40.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$993
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,607/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.5 min
31% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.4%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
1.9%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
9.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 6.1%
State rate 4.2%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$74,714
0% below avg
Per Capita Income
$43,231
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
52% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor Force Participation
74.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.4%
Graduate degree 12.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.1
Male median age 34.4
Female median age 35.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.0°F
Avg Low
36.6°F
Annual Precip
27.9"
Annual Snowfall
45.3"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 273245597181858376614532
Low °F 91324364859636152382513
Precip" 0.600.831.603.003.864.233.253.342.732.361.220.83
Snow" 8.08.67.25.10.10.00.00.00.01.46.28.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
64.4%
Good air days/yr
181
Max AQI recorded
96
PM2.5 days
254
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

85%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
44
Public schools
25,196
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sioux Falls, SD?

Sioux Falls has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sioux Falls, SD?

The median gross rent in Sioux Falls is $993 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sioux Falls?

The median home value in Sioux Falls is $271,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sioux Falls?

The median household income in Sioux Falls is $74,714 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sioux Falls, SD?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Sioux Falls is 6.1%. South Dakota has no state income tax.

Is Sioux Falls, SD affordable?

Yes, Sioux Falls is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has average high temperatures of 58.0°F and average lows of 36.6°F. Annual precipitation is 27.9". Average annual snowfall is 45.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Sioux Falls at a Glance

Population
197,642
Median Income
$74,714
Home Value
$271,400
Median Rent
$993/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
58.0°F
Sales Tax
6.1%
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