Living in Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls is the 114th-largest city in the US, home to about 214,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 10.9% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (90.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 213,748+10.9% since 2020
- Median home value
- $292,4003.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,035/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $75,970median, per year
- Price level
- 90.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 27° / 85°lows 9° / 63°
- Average commute
- 17 min11% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Minnehaha County, Lincoln County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 1,470 ft
Metro area: Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Cost of living in Sioux Falls
The median home in Sioux Falls is worth $292,400 and the median household earns $75,970 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,035 a month, about 16% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area at 90.6, with housing at 77.6 and goods at 95.5 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,000 here. South Dakota has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in South Dakota is 6.11%.
What would my salary be worth in Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls weather
Average highs run from 27°F in January to 85°F in July, and January nights average 8°F. It gets 28 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 45 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 162 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Sioux Falls
People and work
The median resident is 35.5 years old, and 38% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 60% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 17 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.5211th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 38%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 60%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,55783.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 2.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 9.6%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1993median year
Who moves to Sioux Falls, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Rapid City (Pennington County), Minneapolis (Hennepin County) and Phoenix (Maricopa County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), Minneapolis (Hennepin County) and Rapid City (Pennington County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Minnehaha County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: ice storm, tornado, winter weather, strong wind.
Home prices
+2.5% in a year
Up 36% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Sioux Falls, SD-MN area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
81% good days
4 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Sioux Falls, SD area (364 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Sioux Falls
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls
- Augustana University 3 miles
- University of Sioux Falls 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Sioux Falls
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls Regional Airport FSD | 3 mi | 701,353 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Sioux Falls
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Technical College | in town | 2,310 | $15,616 | 61% |
| Augustana University | 3 mi | 1,965 | $23,283 | 73% |
| University of Sioux Falls | 3 mi | 1,218 | $21,417 | 64% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Sioux Falls
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before May 1, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 27 and the first frost comes around October 6.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Sioux Falls, SD, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Sioux Falls.
Wildfire smoke in Sioux Falls
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Sioux Falls on about 139 days a year, including about 43 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Sioux Falls
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 85,992 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Sioux Falls
Downtown Sioux Falls is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | Pre-K to 12 | 25,051 | 44 | 14.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Harrisburg School District 41-2 (6,222 students), Brandon Valley School District 49-2 (5,115 students), Tea Area School District 41-5 (2,509 students), West Central School District 49-7 (1,418 students), Lennox School District 41-4 (1,192 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Sioux Falls's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Sioux Falls's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Appleton, WI77% matchCompare
- Bismarck, ND75% matchCompare
- Iowa City, IA74% matchCompare
- Rapid City, SD73% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Sioux Falls
- Great Bear Recreation Park 7 miles
- Mount Kato 143 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Sioux Falls
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% below the US average (BEA).
- Data South Dakota has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Commutes are short: 17 minutes each way on average.
- Data The city is growing fast (+10.9% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 45 inches a year.
Sioux Falls report card from locals
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Cities near Sioux Falls
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA | 75 mi | 86,356 | $173,600 | 86.5 | Compare |
| Omaha, NE | 164 mi | 488,797 | $245,500 | 91.9 | Compare |
| Lincoln, NE | 189 mi | 301,522 | $264,000 | 91.6 | Compare |
| Lakeville, MN | 192 mi | 79,270 | $452,500 | 104.8 | Compare |
| Plymouth, MN | 193 mi | 78,942 | $491,200 | 104.8 | Compare |
| Bloomington, MN | 194 mi | 89,034 | $361,700 | 104.8 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Sioux Falls with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Sioux Falls a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, a growing population, no state income tax on wages, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Sioux Falls side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Sioux Falls?
The Census Bureau estimates Sioux Falls had 213,748 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 192,737 in April 2020 (+10.9%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Sioux Falls?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,000 in the Sioux Falls area. The median household here earns $75,970.
When is the best time to visit Sioux Falls?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 85°F and January 27°F for daytime highs.
What county is Sioux Falls in?
Most of Sioux Falls (80% of its land) is in Minnehaha County. Smaller parts lie in Lincoln County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Sioux Falls in?
Sioux Falls is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Sioux Falls?
About 1,470 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does South Dakota have a state income tax?
No. South Dakota does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Sioux Falls. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Sioux Falls, SD station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.