Bellevue vs Sioux Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Bellevue
Sioux Falls
The Verdict
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
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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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