Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
37% cheaper
Sioux Falls is 37% more affordable than Boulder. A $75,000 salary in Boulder is equivalent to $47,128 in Sioux Falls.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · South Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boulder has a housing index of 230 while Sioux Falls sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Boulder costs $750,000 compared to $265,000 in Sioux Falls, a difference of $485,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,300 in Boulder versus $1,100 in Sioux Falls.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Boulder scores 107 while Sioux Falls scores 97.
Healthcare costs in Boulder (104) are higher than Sioux Falls (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Boulder is $73,123 compared to $61,714 in Sioux Falls. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sioux Falls.
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