Alexandria vs Sioux Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Sioux Falls
The Verdict
Living in Sioux Falls costs 55.9% less than Alexandria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Alexandria, you would need $48,103 in Sioux Falls.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $48,103 in Sioux Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $116,935 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Sioux Falls
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $265,000. The $325,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 101 in Sioux Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $66,359 respectively. Alexandria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 121 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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