Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Sioux Falls, SD (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Sioux Falls

South Dakota
78

San Francisco is 242% more expensive than Sioux Falls.

$2,419/mo ↑ 144%
Median Rent
$993/mo ↓ 59%
$141,446/yr ↑ 89%
Median Income
$74,714/yr ↓ 47%
$1,380,500 ↑ 409%
Home Value
$271,400 ↓ 80%
$2,620/mo ↑ 134%
Owner Costs
$1,122/mo ↓ 57%
836,321
Population
197,642

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.2%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.28%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Sioux Falls, SD, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 78 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,426/month cheaper in Sioux Falls, saving renters about $17,112/year.

Median household income is $66,732/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $271,400 in Sioux Falls.

South Dakota has no state income tax, giving Sioux Falls residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Sioux Falls — common questions

Is San Francisco or Sioux Falls cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sioux Falls is cheaper to live in with an index of 78 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Sioux Falls?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Sioux Falls it's $993/month — a difference of $1,426/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Sioux Falls?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $74,714 in Sioux Falls. Median household income is $66,732/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and South Dakota?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. South Dakota has 0% income tax, 4.2% sales tax, and 1.28% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Sioux Falls?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Sioux Falls has a cost index of 78 with rent of $993/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Sioux Falls details →

More Comparisons

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