Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
6% cheaper
Sioux Falls is 6% more affordable than Norfolk. A $75,000 salary in Norfolk is equivalent to $70,455 in Sioux Falls.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Virginia salaries · South Dakota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Norfolk has a housing index of 95 while Sioux Falls sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Norfolk costs $250,000 compared to $265,000 in Sioux Falls, a difference of $15,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,300 in Norfolk versus $1,100 in Sioux Falls.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Norfolk scores 99 while Sioux Falls scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Norfolk (99) are lower than Sioux Falls (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Norfolk is $51,938 compared to $61,714 in Sioux Falls. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sioux Falls.
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