Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
15% cheaper
Sioux Falls is 15% more affordable than Charleston. A $75,000 salary in Charleston is equivalent to $63,409 in Sioux Falls.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Carolina salaries · South Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charleston has a housing index of 127 while Sioux Falls sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Charleston costs $380,000 compared to $265,000 in Sioux Falls, a difference of $115,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Charleston versus $1,100 in Sioux Falls.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Charleston scores 102 while Sioux Falls scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charleston (104) are higher than Sioux Falls (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Charleston is $65,872 compared to $61,714 in Sioux Falls. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sioux Falls.
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