Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
3% cheaper
Sioux Falls is 3% more affordable than Houston. A $75,000 salary in Houston is equivalent to $72,656 in Sioux Falls.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · South Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Houston has a housing index of 89 while Sioux Falls sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Houston costs $250,000 compared to $265,000 in Sioux Falls, a difference of $15,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Houston versus $1,100 in Sioux Falls.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Houston scores 94 while Sioux Falls scores 97.
Healthcare costs in Houston (96) are lower than Sioux Falls (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Houston is $52,338 compared to $61,714 in Sioux Falls. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sioux Falls.
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