City Comparison

Bellevue vs Sioux Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Sioux Falls

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

The Verdict

69.9%

Living in Sioux Falls costs 69.9% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $44,146 in Sioux Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
249
Bellevue
80
Sioux Falls
Groceries
111
Bellevue
97
Sioux Falls
Utilities
100
Bellevue
94
Sioux Falls
Transportation
134
Bellevue
98
Sioux Falls
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
101
Sioux Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $44,146 in Sioux Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $127,419 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Sioux Falls

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $265,000. The $1.0M difference in home prices means roughly $67,344 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $1,425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 101 in Sioux Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $66,359 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/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 169 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux Falls is 69.9% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $44,146 in Sioux Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Sioux Falls's is 80 with median homes at $265,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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