City Comparison

Augusta vs Sioux Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Maine
89
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$56,200
Median Income

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
93
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,714
Median Income

The Verdict

4.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.3%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $78,371 in Sioux Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
72
Augusta
80
Sioux Falls
Groceries
99
Augusta
97
Sioux Falls
Utilities
108
Augusta
94
Sioux Falls
Transportation
102
Augusta
98
Sioux Falls
Healthcare
114
Augusta
101
Sioux Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $78,371 in Sioux Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $71,774 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Sioux Falls

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $265,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Augusta and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 101 in Sioux Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $66,359 respectively. Sioux Falls residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Augusta, median rent of $950/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 Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 4.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,371 in Sioux Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Sioux Falls's is 80 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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