Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
18% cheaper
Sioux Falls is 18% more affordable than Stockton. A $75,000 salary in Stockton is equivalent to $61,184 in Sioux Falls.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: South Dakota salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Sioux Falls has a housing index of 80 while Stockton sits at 126 (national average = 100). The median home in Sioux Falls costs $265,000 compared to $400,000 in Stockton, a difference of $135,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Sioux Falls versus $1,500 in Stockton.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Sioux Falls scores 97 while Stockton scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Sioux Falls (101) match Stockton (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Sioux Falls is $61,714 compared to $54,658 in Stockton. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Sioux Falls.
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