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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
South Dakota is a genuine bargain: 1 of the 1 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Sioux Falls leads at an index of 95 — we had to double-check this one — with rent at just $1,265/month — 33% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced fr…
206,410 residents · South Dakota
Dive into Sioux Falls's numbers: cost index 95 (17 points below national average), rent $1,265/month, income $74,714, and a home price of $326,187. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Utilities is the cheapest category at 88, while Healthcare runs 98. With 206,410 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.
#1 Ranked: Sioux Falls — cost index 95, rent $1,265/mo, income $74,714
1 of 1 cities keep rent under 30% of $150K gross income
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Median Rent | Rent % of Gross | Cost Index | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $1,265 | 10% | 95 | Details |
South Dakota is a genuine bargain: 1 of the 1 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Sioux Falls leads at an index of 95 — we had to double-check this one — with rent at just $1,265/month — 33% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
The #1 spot goes to Sioux Falls, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,265/month — saving renters $7,560 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Utilities is the standout at index 88, making it one of the cheapest in the country for that category. The weak spot? Healthcare at 98. At a 20% rent-to-income ratio, there's genuine breathing room in the average household budget.
Look, on a $150K salary, the key number is $3,750/month — which, honestly, is lower than you'd expect here — — that's 30% of gross, the standard affordability line. Sioux Falls ($1,265/mo, 10%) all clear that bar. After federal tax, FICA (7.65%), and state income tax, estimated take-home ranges from $109,483 to $109,483/year across these top picks (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
And there's one more thing: State context matters: South Dakota's 1 cities average a 95 cost index with $1,265/month median rent and $74,714 household income. No income tax and Great Plains affordability. One number below changes this entire conversation.
Here's how we'd use this ranking: start with the top 5, click into each city's detail page, and look at the 12-month rent trend. A city that's #3 but trending down beats a city that's #1 but climbing fast. Sioux Falls leads today — the trend data below tells you whether it'll lead tomorrow.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Sioux Falls | 0% | 6.1% | 1.08% | $109,483 |
Sioux Falls ranks #1 in South Dakota for this analysis with a cost index of 95 and median income of $74,714.
Yes. On a $150K salary in Sioux Falls, rent would consume about 10% of your gross monthly income. Financial experts recommend keeping rent under 30%. You're well within that guideline.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Sioux Falls is $1,265/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $630 below the national median of $1,895/month.
After federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), and 0% state income tax, estimated take-home on $150K in Sioux Falls is approximately $109,483/year ($9,124/month). After median rent of $1,265/month, you'd have roughly $94,303/year for all other expenses.
The median home price in Sioux Falls is $326,187, which is 4.4× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
South Dakota has a 0% state income tax rate — one of the states with no income tax. Combined state and local sales tax averages 6.1%, and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.