Sioux Falls wins overall by ~7% (COL index)
Cost of living: Sioux Falls vs Houston (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Sioux Falls buys roughly what $64,773 does in Houston (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Estimated annual swing
+$1,723/yr
Favoring Sioux Falls for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $144/mo in Sioux Falls, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Sioux Falls South Dakota | Houston Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000Better | $1,050 | Sioux wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Sioux |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,250Better | $1,350 | Sioux wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Sioux |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,650Better | $1,700 | Sioux wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Sioux |
| Median home price | $265KBetter | $280K | Sioux wins +$15K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 94Better | Houston wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $42Wins | $90 | Sioux wins +$48/mo | $576/yr saves in Sioux |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.10 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Wins | $190 | Sioux wins +$48/mo | $576/yr saves in Sioux |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $175 | Sioux wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Sioux |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Sioux wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $56K | Sioux wins −$6K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.4%Wins | 8.3% | Sioux wins +1.9 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Sioux wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $35 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Better | $6.00 | Sioux wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 88Better | 95 | Sioux wins +7 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 49Wins | Houston wins +23 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
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Sioux Falls fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Sioux Falls.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Sioux Falls cheaper than Houston?
Yes. Sioux Falls is 7% cheaper than Houston based on overall cost of living indices (88 vs 95, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Sioux Falls vs Houston?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Sioux Falls is $1,250/month and in Houston is $1,350/month. Sioux Falls is cheaper by 7%.
How much do I need to earn in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Sioux Falls?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $80,966/year in Houston to match a $75,000 salary in Sioux Falls. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Sioux Falls or Houston?
Houston has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Houston has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Sioux Falls to Houston?
It depends on your priorities. Sioux Falls offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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