Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
12% cheaper
Sioux Falls is 12% more affordable than Madison. A $75,000 salary in Madison is equivalent to $65,802 in Sioux Falls.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · South Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Madison has a housing index of 115 while Sioux Falls sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Madison costs $340,000 compared to $265,000 in Sioux Falls, a difference of $75,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Madison versus $1,100 in Sioux Falls.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Madison scores 101 while Sioux Falls scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Madison (105) are higher than Sioux Falls (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Madison is $67,565 compared to $61,714 in Sioux Falls. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sioux Falls.
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