Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
Knoxville is 5% more affordable than Sioux Falls. A $75,000 salary in Sioux Falls is equivalent to $70,968 in Knoxville.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Tennessee salaries · South Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Knoxville has a housing index of 73 while Sioux Falls sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Knoxville costs $240,000 compared to $265,000 in Sioux Falls, a difference of $25,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Knoxville versus $1,100 in Sioux Falls.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Knoxville scores 94 while Sioux Falls scores 97.
Healthcare costs in Knoxville (93) are lower than Sioux Falls (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Knoxville is $42,898 compared to $61,714 in Sioux Falls. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Knoxville.
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