Salem vs Sioux Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Salem
Sioux Falls
The Verdict
Sioux Falls is 11.8% less expensive than Salem overall. A household earning $75,000 in Salem would need approximately $67,067 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 Salem has the same purchasing power as $67,067 in Sioux Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $83,871 in Salem.
Living in Salem vs Sioux Falls
Housing Costs
Salem's housing index of 118 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $265,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Salem compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Salem and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Salem vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Salem and 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Salem vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Salem 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 $66,400 in Salem and $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,846 and $66,359 respectively. Sioux Falls residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,549/month to housing in Salem vs $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Salem, 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 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases