Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
18% cheaper
Sioux Falls is 18% more affordable than Ann Arbor. A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor is equivalent to $61,184 in Sioux Falls.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Michigan salaries · South Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Ann Arbor has a housing index of 135 while Sioux Falls sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Ann Arbor costs $400,000 compared to $265,000 in Sioux Falls, a difference of $135,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Ann Arbor versus $1,100 in Sioux Falls.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Ann Arbor scores 101 while Sioux Falls scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Ann Arbor (101) match Sioux Falls (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Ann Arbor is $65,024 compared to $61,714 in Sioux Falls. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sioux Falls.
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