Skyline of Sioux Falls
Cost of Living: 90.5 192,517

Sioux Falls, SD, US

No state income tax, booming economy, and the falls of the Big Sioux River.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 90.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 82.5

Affordable

Median Income $62,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.1%

Job market health

Sioux Falls vs US Average

Cost of Living
Sioux Falls: 90.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Sioux Falls: 82.5
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 6.5%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $62,000
  • Unemployment: 2.1%
  • Population: 192,517

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 210/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 6°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: $280,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1000/mo

Cost of Living

Sioux Falls's cost of living index is 90.5 (US average = 100).

CategorySioux FallsNational AverageDifference
Overall90.5100-9.5%
Housing82.5100-17.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$280,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft$186

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Sioux Falls:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$85Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$95Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$1Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$316Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Sioux Falls scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
90.5
Rent
$1000
Sunny Days
210
Tax
None
Unemployment
2.1%
Climate
86°F / 6°F
Safety
6.6 homicides/100k
Population
192,517
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Sioux Falls has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January26°F6°F2.5"
April71°F21°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F24°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Sioux Falls faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms and blizzards.

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in Black Hills.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 6.5%
  • Property Tax: ~1.31% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.1%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Sioux Falls per 100,000 residents:

526.7
Violent Crime
2,915.2
Property Crime
6.6
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

86/100
School Quality Score
Better than 69% of US cities
?
60
Total Schools
6.9:1
Student:Teacher
76.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1423
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University National

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The cost of living index in Sioux Falls is 90.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Sioux Falls?

The median home price in Sioux Falls is $280,000. The housing index is 82.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sioux Falls is approximately $1000/mo.

Does Sioux Falls, SD have income tax?

Sioux Falls is in SD, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls enjoys approximately 210 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 6°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.