City Comparison

Sioux Falls vs Vancouver

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
93
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,714
Median Income

Vancouver

Washington
122
Expensive
$525,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$79,300
Median Income

The Verdict

23.8%

Living in Sioux Falls costs 23.8% less than Vancouver. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Sioux Falls, you would need $98,387 in Vancouver.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
80
Sioux Falls
163
Vancouver
Groceries
97
Sioux Falls
104
Vancouver
Utilities
94
Sioux Falls
87
Vancouver
Transportation
98
Sioux Falls
112
Vancouver
Healthcare
101
Sioux Falls
103
Vancouver

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sioux Falls has the same purchasing power as $98,387 in Vancouver.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $57,172 in Sioux Falls.

Living in Sioux Falls vs Vancouver

Housing Costs

Sioux Falls's housing index of 80 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $525,000. The $260,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,896 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Sioux Falls and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Sioux Falls vs $494/month in Vancouver. Sioux Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Sioux Falls and 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Sioux Falls vs $348 in Vancouver. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Sioux Falls and 103 in Vancouver. 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 $61,714 in Sioux Falls and $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,359 and $65,000 respectively. Sioux Falls residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,440/month to housing in Sioux Falls vs $1,850/month in Vancouver. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sioux Falls is 23.8% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 122.
A $75,000 salary in Sioux Falls has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,387 in Vancouver, based on the cost of living difference.
Sioux Falls's housing index is 80 with median homes at $265,000, while Vancouver's is 163 with median homes at $525,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases