Cost of Living in Sioux Falls, SD
Updated November 2026 · Minnehaha County · Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area · population 201,469
Prices in Sioux Falls are 9.3% below the US average (local index 90.7; the BEA index for the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is 90.6), with local housing the biggest saving at 78.7; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,362 a month and the median rent is $1,035.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Sioux Falls's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, unchanged.
Sioux Falls price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.7, Housing (rents) 78.7, Goods 95.5, Utilities 80.7, Other services 91.9
Cheaper than 90% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.2 | 93.8 | 93.0 | 90.0 | 90.1 | 90.6 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Sioux Falls, SD
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $806 | $9,672 | 34% |
| Utilities | $224 | $2,688 | 9% |
| Food at home | $269 | $3,228 | 11% |
| Transportation | $582 | $6,984 | 25% |
| Health care | $323 | $3,876 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,362 | $28,344 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Sioux Falls, SD
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $960 | $11,520 | 25% |
| Utilities | $355 | $4,260 | 9% |
| Food at home | $497 | $5,964 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,152 | $13,824 | 30% |
| Health care | $599 | $7,188 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $312 | $3,744 | 8% |
| Total | $3,875 | $46,500 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Sioux Falls, SD
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,204 | $14,448 | 25% |
| Utilities | $432 | $5,184 | 9% |
| Food at home | $709 | $8,508 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,534 | $18,408 | 32% |
| Health care | $558 | $6,696 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $402 | $4,824 | 8% |
| Total | $4,839 | $58,068 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Sioux Falls
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $883 |
| 1 bedroom | $890 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,060 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,330 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,816 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,035 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $937 |
| Median home value | $292,400 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,727/mo |
| Median household income | $75,970 |
| Rent as % of renter income Moderate | 26.5% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.8× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in South Dakota
15.15¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +9.0% (from 13.90¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 983 kWh a month in South Dakota ≈ $140/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Midwest (PADD 2)
$4.10 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +45.0% (from $2.83) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; South Dakota is covered by the Midwest (PADD 2) average.
Inflation in the Midwest
Consumer prices in the Midwest Census region rose +4.2% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Sioux Falls are 9.3% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $66,100 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 90.7. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 74 mi | 86.6 | $2,222 | $976 |
| Spirit Lake, IA | 82 mi | 86.6 | $2,234 | $911 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatlinburg, TN | 90.7 | $2,488 | $1,098 |
| Johnson City, TN | 90.7 | $2,236 | $1,023 |
| Victoria, TX | 90.7 | $2,391 | $1,172 |
| Macon, GA | 90.7 | $2,316 | $1,066 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 90.7 | $2,317 | $1,130 |
| Beaumont, TX | 90.7 | $2,289 | $1,121 |
Compare Sioux Falls with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Sioux Falls, SD an expensive place to live?
Sioux Falls has a local cost of living index of 90.7, which is 9.3% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area (90.6) and adjusts housing to Sioux Falls's own rents. It is 2.1 points above the South Dakota average. Cheaper than 90% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Sioux Falls?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,362 for a single adult, $3,875 for a couple and $4,839 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $54,400 in Sioux Falls.
What is the average rent in Sioux Falls?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,035 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $890, 2 bedrooms $1,060, 3 bedrooms $1,330. The typical renter spends 26.5% of household income on rent (moderate).
How much does a house cost in Sioux Falls?
The median owner-estimated home value is $292,400, 3.8 times the median household income of $75,970 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,727 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Sioux Falls?
South Dakota residential electricity averaged 15.15¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.10 a gallon (Midwest (PADD 2) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 90.6) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 4659020 (Sioux Falls city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, South Dakota residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Midwest (PADD 2), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U Midwest region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources