Rochester vs Sioux Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Rochester
Sioux Falls
The Verdict
Sioux Falls is 1.1% less expensive than Rochester overall. A household earning $75,000 in Rochester would need approximately $74,202 in Sioux Falls to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Rochester has the same purchasing power as $74,202 in Sioux Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $75,806 in Rochester.
Living in Rochester vs Sioux Falls
Housing Costs
Rochester's housing index of 95 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $345,000 vs $265,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Rochester compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Rochester and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Rochester vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Rochester and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Rochester vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Rochester and 101 in Sioux Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $91,500 in Rochester and $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,340 and $66,359 respectively. Rochester residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,135/month to housing in Rochester vs $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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