Rows tagged local are specific to Sioux Falls (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Sioux Falls, SD. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Sioux Falls School District 49-5 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
90.1
metro-area
#32 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
97.4
metro-area
#131 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.13
metro-area
#32 of 200 metros
Median household income
$71,785
local
#2152 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$42,402
local
#1887 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.1 years
metro-area
#42 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
35.8%
metro-area
#73 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
6.7%
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
66.6%
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.32%
local
#197 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+13.5%
local
#472 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$250,000
local
#1014 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.5×
local
#1260 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.5%
metro-area
#99 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$147
local
#1147 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$965
local
#339 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,290
Median days on market
17
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.4%
state
#8 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.40%
state
#45 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
None
Capital gains tax
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else
Effective property tax rate
1.21%
local
#2074 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,034
local
#1271 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.7 years
metro-area
#46 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#93 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
8.5%
metro-area
#104 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
108
metro-area
#11 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,000
state
#14 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
17 min
local
#33 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
79.3%
metro-area
#171 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
15.1%
metro-area
#3 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.5¢/kWh
state
#31 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$131
state
#31 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$64
state
#88 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$68
state
#23 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$81
state
#121 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#139 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,500
state
#41 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
77.9 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#20 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$600
state
#16 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
34
metro-area
#9 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
92%
state
#105 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
7,700
metro-area
#196 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
14
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
86°F
metro-area
#87 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
10°F
metro-area
#190 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
26.0"
metro-area
#44 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
48.0"
metro-area
#162 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
5a
Frost window
05-15 → 10-01
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
400
state
#100 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,000
state
#83 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.